Gas Prices Climbing

Gas prices are up. On April 9, the average cost of a gallon in the U.S. hit $4.12. That’s according to the American Automobile Association. In some states, an average gallon has exceeded $5.

The last time gas prices were this high was in 2022. It was due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that year. (See “Pain at the Pump”, from 2022.) This February, the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. In the war that has followed, Iran has closed a busy oil-shipping route. Gas prices have risen more than 30% since then. Diesel, a type of gas used by trucks that transport goods, has gone up more than 40%. Goods such as groceries are pricier as a result.

Consumers are feeling the pinch. Mark Hernandez lives in El Paso, Texas. “Gas is going up every single day,” he told CNN. It’s hard “not knowing from day to day how much you’re going to pay at the pump.”

It’s uncertain how long gas prices will stay high. President Donald Trump spoke on the issue on April 12. Fox News asked him if the cost would be lower by the fall. He said, “It could be. Or the same, or maybe a little bit higher. But it should be around the same.”

Stop and Think!

WHY does this news story include historical information? How might this historical information be useful to readers?