After days of dramatically rising gasoline prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the national average for a gallon of gasoline is the highest in U.S. history, beating a record that stood for almost 14 years.
As of Tuesday morning, the cost of regular gasoline in the United States was $4.17, according to AAA, compared to $4.06 on Monday. Last week the average cost was $3.60.
The previous national average high was $4.11, set on July 17, 2008, according to AAA. The current record does not take inflation into account.
The cost of diesel is also approaching the record high of $4.84, which was also set in July 2008. The current price of a gallon of diesel is $4.75, more than double what it was in October 2020.
One of the main components of rising costs is the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces. Tom Kloza, chief global analyst for the Oil Price Information Service, previously told USA TODAY that Russia is the world’s second largest oil producer, behind the United States.
Answers to your questions: Why are gasoline prices rising so fast? And how high should they go?
“Be prepared for months of high prices”: How to save money as gas prices soar
For subscribers: Are oil and gas companies driving up consumer prices at the pump?
As the country is one of the largest energy suppliers, crude oil prices have increased significantly. The Associated Press reported that a barrel of U.S. crude cost $119.40 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, cost $123.21 a barrel on Monday.
While the current price of gas has broken a record, it is expected to rise throughout the year. Fuel-saving app GasBuddy predicts prices will average $4.25 in May and continue to be above $4 through November.
“Americans have never seen gas prices so high, and we’ve never seen the pace of increases so fast and furious. This combination makes this situation all the more remarkable and intense, with crippling sanctions against Russia that are curbing its oil flow, causing a massive spike in the price of all fuels: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and more,” said Patrick De Haan, director of oil analysis on the economy app. fuel company GasBuddy, said in a statement Monday.
De Haan said in a tweet on Sunday that odds of a $5 national average are ‘somewhat remote’, but still a remote possibility.
The most expensive gas in the United States
As is historically the case, California has the most expensive prices in the country, averaging $5.44 a gallon on Tuesday. The Golden State remains the only state to average more than $5 a gallon.
The most expensive county for gas is Mono County, which borders Nevada and is home to the Mammoth Mountain tourist destination. The average price there is $6.02.
Some gas locations statewide reported prices close to or above $2 above the state average. Gas stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco reportedly sell regular gasoline for more than $6 a gallon, with some reaching nearly $7. In the town of Gorda, about 140 miles south of San Francisco on the coast, a station charged $7.59, KSBW reported.
As of Tuesday morning, 28 states had average prices above $4. Only five states — South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas — average less than $3.80. The cheapest state to get gas is Oklahoma at $3.71.
Here are the most expensive average gas costs per gallon in the country, per AAA:
- California ($5.44)
- Hawaii ($4.71)
- Nevada ($4.67)
- Oregon ($4.58)
- Washington ($4.54)
- Alaska ($4.50)
- Illinois ($4.42)
- New York ($4.36)
- Connecticut ($4.35)
- Pennsylvania ($4.31)
Contributors: Mike Snider, Brett Molina
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.