Iran War Disrupts Florida Gas Prices, Experts Warn of Prolonged Hike

Fuel costs rise over $1 per gallon in Florida as conflict blocks global oil supply, damages regional infrastructure

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:08am

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Gas prices in Florida have risen over $1 per gallon since the start of the Iran war one month ago, with the statewide average now hovering just under $4. Experts warn that even if the conflict ends soon, wholesale crude oil and retail gasoline prices could remain elevated for weeks or months due to disrupted oil production and damaged energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region.

Why it matters

The Iran war has significantly disrupted global oil supply, with the closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz cutting off 20% of the world's oil shipments. This has led to major production cuts across the Persian Gulf, as well as damage to key energy facilities, causing prices at the pump to spike in Florida and across the U.S. The prolonged impact on fuel costs will strain consumer budgets and increase prices for goods transported by the trucking industry.

The details

In the month since the Iran war began on February 28, the average price of regular gasoline in Florida has risen over $1 to $3.95 per gallon. Diesel prices have risen even more sharply, up nearly $2 to $5.62 per gallon. Experts say that even if the conflict ends soon, it will take time for Persian Gulf oil production and exports to return to normal levels due to damaged infrastructure. The scope of the current crisis is also much larger than past oil disruptions. While the U.S. can increase domestic production and release strategic reserves, these measures are not enough to fully offset the global supply shortfall caused by the war.

  • The Iran war began on February 28, 2026.
  • As of March 30, 2026, the average price of regular gasoline in Florida was $3.95 per gallon, up $1.07 over the past month.
  • As of March 30, 2026, the average price of diesel fuel in Florida was $5.62 per gallon, up $1.92 over the past month.

The players

Billy Spiess

A visiting motorist from Atlanta enroute to Cocoa Beach who stopped to refuel his car at a gas station in Edgewater, Florida.

Rory Johnston

An oil analyst and founder of Commodity Context, who discussed the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure on global oil production.

Neale Mahoney and Ryan Cummings

The authors of a March 25 report from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research on the potential duration of elevated oil and fuel prices.

Mark Jenkins

The Tampa-based spokesman for AAA who provided weekly updates on Florida gas prices.

Patrick DeHaan

The head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.com who commented on the continued upward pressure on fuel prices.

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What they’re saying

“It's worth the sacrifice. They're going to come back down.”

— Billy Spiess, Visiting motorist

“Even once the Strait (of Hormuz) reopens and crude (oil) prices begin to normalize, consumers are likely to be paying more at the pump for weeks or months longer.”

— Neale Mahoney and Ryan Cummings, Authors, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research report

“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. 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.”

— Patrick DeHaan, Head of petroleum analysis, GasBuddy.com

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the vulnerability of Florida's and the nation's fuel supply to global conflicts, raising questions about energy security, the need for greater domestic production, and the long-term economic impacts of prolonged high gas and diesel prices on consumers and businesses.