Gas Prices Climbing

Gas prices are on the rise in the U.S. The national average cost of a gallon reached $4.12 on April 9, according to the American Automobile Association. In some states, such as California and Hawaii, the average cost per gallon has exceeded $5.

The last time gas prices were this high was in 2022. That was largely due to effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that year. (See “Pain at the Pump”, from 2022.) This February, the U.S. and Israel launched an attack against Iran. In the war that has followed, Iran has closed one of the world’s busiest oil-shipping routes. Gas prices have risen more than 30% since then. The cost of diesel, a type of gas used by trucks that transport goods, has gone up more than 40% in that time. Goods such as groceries are more expensive as a result.

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

It’s uncertain how long consumers will need to wait for relief from the current high prices. President Donald Trump spoke about the issue on April 12. When asked if the cost of gas and oil would be lower by the fall, he told Fox News, “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?