Gasoline Prices Surge in Riverside Amid Iran 'Excursion'

National average gas price climbs above $4 per gallon as diesel hits multi-year highs

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:35pm

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An aerial photograph of an expansive oil refinery facility, with rows of massive storage tanks, winding pipelines, and intricate road networks, conveying the massive scale and complexity of the global energy infrastructure.The disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz has sent fuel prices soaring, exposing the vulnerability of America's energy supply chain.Riverside Today

Gasoline prices in Riverside, California have risen 4.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $5.75 per gallon, as the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Iran disrupt global oil supplies. The national average price of gasoline has also increased 2.4 cents per gallon to $3.95, while diesel prices have jumped 14.3 cents to $5.369 per gallon, the highest level since July 2022.

Why it matters

The surge in fuel prices, driven by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, is posing growing risks to the broader U.S. economy. Higher gasoline and diesel costs will likely lead to increased inflation, potentially slowing consumer spending and economic growth.

The details

According to GasBuddy's survey of 481 stations in Riverside, the cheapest station in the city was priced at $4.78 per gallon yesterday, while the most expensive was $6.39 per gallon, a difference of $1.61. Statewide, the lowest price in California was $4.49 per gallon, while the highest was $9.99 per gallon, a difference of $5.50.

  • On March 30, 2026, the average gasoline price in Riverside was $5.75 per gallon.
  • Over the past week, gasoline prices in Riverside have risen 4.1 cents per gallon.
  • Compared to a month ago, prices in Riverside are 122.4 cents per gallon higher.
  • Compared to a year ago, prices in Riverside are $1.14 per gallon higher.

The players

GasBuddy

A company that provides real-time gas price information and data to consumers and businesses.

Patrick De Haan

The head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

President Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who referred to the situation in Iran as a 'little excursion'.

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What they’re saying

“Gasoline and diesel prices continue to climb to multi-year highs as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz curtails the flow of millions of barrels of crude oil each day.”

— Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis, GasBuddy

“The situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable, but upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist as long as global oil supplies are constrained by the continued disruption in the Strait. We're likely to see the national average for gasoline push beyond the $4-per-gallon mark, while diesel could approach $6 per gallon and potentially set new records if conditions fail to improve.”

— Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis, GasBuddy

“Americans have already spent nearly $8 billion more on gasoline over the past month, a trend that poses growing risks to the broader economy, while surging diesel prices may begin to reaccelerate inflation.”

— Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis, GasBuddy

What’s next

Analysts will continue to monitor the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the impact on global oil supplies, which will determine whether fuel prices in the U.S. continue to rise or stabilize in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The surge in gasoline and diesel prices driven by the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is adding significant financial strain on American consumers and businesses, raising concerns about the broader economic impact if the situation fails to improve.