Maryland Drivers Hopeful for Gas Price Relief After Iran Ceasefire

Experts say prices could drop slightly if ceasefire holds, but warn of quick return to high costs if conflict resumes.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A geometric abstract illustration featuring intersecting triangles and rectangles in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the volatility of gas prices in Maryland.As Maryland drivers hope for respite from soaring gas prices, the ceasefire's impact remains uncertain.Arbutus Today

Maryland drivers are eagerly awaiting potential relief at the gas pump following President Trump's announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the ongoing war with Iran. While some experts predict a modest 3-5 cent per gallon drop in prices if the ceasefire holds, others caution that prices could quickly rebound to previous highs if the conflict resumes. The average price of regular gas in Maryland reached $4.19 per gallon on Wednesday, up 71 cents from a month ago and 92 cents higher than a year ago.

Why it matters

The war in Iran has been a major driver of high gas prices in Maryland and across the country, as the conflict has disrupted global oil supplies. Any relief at the pump would provide much-needed financial reprieve for Maryland residents who have been struggling with the burden of soaring fuel costs.

The details

Despite the ceasefire announcement, some Maryland drivers remain skeptical that prices will drop significantly or stay low for long. 'Hopefully in a long time, it'll come down, but I don't see it happening quickly,' said driver Heitner. AAA noted that crude oil prices did dip slightly after the ceasefire was announced, but warned that prices could quickly rebound if the conflict resumes. GasBuddy analyst Matt McClain predicted a modest 3-5 cent per gallon drop if the ceasefire holds, but said 'if it does not hold, we go right back to where we were yesterday at this time, which is an upward trajectory.'

  • President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire in the war with Iran on Tuesday.
  • On Wednesday, the average price of regular gas in Maryland reached $4.19 per gallon.

The players

Julia Greer

A Maryland driver who has been impacted by the high gas prices.

Heitner

A Maryland driver who is skeptical that gas prices will drop significantly or stay low for long.

Ragina Ali

A spokesperson for AAA who commented on the impact of the ceasefire announcement on crude oil prices.

Matt McClain

A GasBuddy petroleum analyst who provided predictions on how gas prices could be affected by the ceasefire.

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What they’re saying

“I remember a few years ago when I could fill up my car for $20, and now, it's significantly higher. I don't even fill up my car. I put like $15 in it and let it go.”

— Julia Greer, Maryland driver

“Hopefully in a long time, it'll come down, but I don't see it happening quickly.”

— Heitner, Maryland driver

“Upon that announcement, we did see some trading with the price of crude oil go down a little bit. Earlier in the week, it was trending at about $110 per barrel.”

— Ragina Ali, AAA Spokesperson

“A slow fall back down three to five cents a gallon.”

— Matt McClain, GasBuddy Petroleum Analyst

“If it does not hold, we go right back to where we were yesterday at this time, which is an upward trajectory.”

— Matt McClain, GasBuddy Petroleum Analyst

What’s next

If the ceasefire in Iran holds, experts will continue to monitor the impact on global oil prices and how that translates to relief at the gas pump for Maryland drivers. However, if the conflict resumes, prices could quickly return to their previous highs, leaving drivers once again facing the burden of high fuel costs.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the volatility of global oil markets and the significant impact that geopolitical conflicts can have on everyday consumers. While the ceasefire announcement provides a glimmer of hope for Maryland drivers, the long-term stability of gas prices remains uncertain and dependent on the fragile state of the Iran-US relationship.