US Drivers Face Highest Gas Prices Since 2023 Amid Iran War

Soaring fuel costs strain household budgets as conflict disrupts global oil supply

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:21am

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The Iran war has rattled the global flow of oil, leading to steep fuel costs that are already straining households worldwide. In the U.S., drivers are now facing the highest gas prices they've seen at the pump in nearly two and a half years, with the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumping to $3.79 on Tuesday, up from $2.98 before the conflict began. The last time gas prices were this expensive was in October 2023.

Why it matters

The rising gas prices have been one of the most immediate economic impacts of the conflict with Iran, as the price of crude oil - the main ingredient in gasoline - has soared and swung rapidly in recent weeks due to ongoing supply chain disruptions and cuts from major producers across the Middle East. This is putting a strain on household budgets and could potentially contribute to higher inflation if the steep costs drag on.

The details

According to motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped to $3.79 on Tuesday, up from $2.98 consumers were paying before the U.S. and Israel launched the war with joint attacks against Iran on Feb. 28. Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at over $102 a barrel on Tuesday, up from roughly $70 just weeks ago. And benchmark U.S. crude is now going for nearly $96 a barrel. The U.S. is now a net exporter of oil, but it still needs imports, and refineries on the East and West coasts are primarily designed to process heavier, sour crude.

  • The U.S. and Israel launched joint attacks against Iran on February 28, 2026.
  • Gas prices reached a national average of $3.79 per gallon on March 18, 2026.

The players

AAA

A motor club that provides roadside assistance, insurance, and travel-related services.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who once bragged about keeping gas prices low, but has since pivoted to paint high oil prices as a positive outcome for the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty hard. I mean, times are tough for everybody right now. I'm getting way less gas and paying way more money.”

— Amanda Acosta, Louisiana resident

“I just want all of it to end. I just want to get out of there, out of Iran.”

— Meghan Adamoli, New Jersey resident

“It sucks when you're filling up. What are you going to do, not get gas?”

— Dan Bradley, Flatbed truck driver from Pennsylvania

What’s next

The Biden administration has announced it will temporarily free up Russian oil from U.S. sanctions for its war on Ukraine as part of the International Energy Agency's effort to release 400 million barrels of oil from member nations' stockpiles. However, analysts say these efforts will only provide a short-term bridge, as refineries buy crude oil in advance and it takes time for new supply to trickle down to consumers.

The takeaway

The Iran war has disrupted the global oil supply, leading to skyrocketing gas prices that are straining household budgets across the U.S. This highlights the vulnerability of the American economy to geopolitical conflicts and the need for a more diverse and resilient energy infrastructure to withstand such shocks.