The average price for a gallon of gas in California rose to $6 this week, as fuel prices across the United States reached their highest level in almost four years. The American Automobile Association reported on Friday that California consumers were paying an average of $6.06, while the national average hit $4.39. The Golden State remains the most expensive US market for gasoline, but costs have also risen nationally, with a 27-cent increase this week following two weeks of declining prices, AAA said in a statement.
The surge marks the peak in prices since the start of the US war with Iran, which has significantly disrupted the global oil market and driven up gasoline prices worldwide. The conflict has had substantial impacts on American consumers. According to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, Americans have paid $21.7 billion more to fill their gas tanks since March 1. Across the US, gas prices have risen approximately 44 percent since late February.
Due to California's strict emissions standards, high taxes, and reliance on imported petroleum, state residents already pay more for gas than anywhere else in the US. California's fuel stockpiles hit record lows in April, and gasoline imports dropped sharply. Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst at Dow Jones Energy, noted, "California is arguably the state most impacted by the Strait of Hormuz in the United States, which has been largely insulated from the events."
With prices rising across the country, California Governor Gavin Newsom has been critical of President Donald Trump. "Every American who fills up their tank this week, buys groceries or books a flight is paying Donald Trump's Iran war tax," Newsom said in a press release on Thursday. Speaking to supporters at the Villages retirement community in Florida on Friday, Trump insisted that gas prices would soon "come tumbling down." "It's gonna come down lower than it was," he said.
Miguel Angel Cruz, who owns a landscaping business that requires him to drive, told Reuters that he used to fill up his truck for $50, but it now costs $80. "I cannot drive any less," Cruz said. "Every time we get a new president in the White House, they say this year is gonna be better. But nothing's changed. It's the same story, except now it's worse because of the war in Iran."
A recent survey found that people are planning fewer vacations over the next six months, and far fewer are planning to drive to their destinations. The US is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which stretches across eight states connecting Chicago with Los Angeles, with a series of events. About 41 percent of Americans planned to visit some portion of the route during this year's celebration, according to an AAA survey.
