Gas Prices Surge Past $4 Ahead of Easter Travel

Spike follows Trump's speech vowing continued attacks on Iran

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:50pm

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Gas prices have risen another two cents, pushing the average to over $4 a gallon just ahead of the start of the Easter holiday travel weekend, according to AAA. The $1.08 spike in gas prices since March 2 is the biggest one-month climb besides the time after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 or the sanctions placed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Why it matters

The sharp rise in gas prices will impact millions of Americans planning to travel over the Easter holiday weekend, potentially causing financial strain and disrupting travel plans. The geopolitical tensions driving the price hikes also raise concerns about broader economic instability.

The details

Oil prices soared on Thursday after President Donald Trump vowed the U.S. will continue to attack Iran and failed to offer a clear timetable for ending the conflict in the Middle East. Trump said the U.S. will continue to hit Iran 'extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.' Shipping traffic has been severely curtailed in the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world's traded oil passes through during peacetime.

  • Gas prices have risen an average of $1.08 since March 2, 2026.
  • President Trump made his remarks on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who vowed continued attacks on Iran, contributing to the spike in oil and gas prices.

AAA

The automotive organization that tracks and reports on average gas prices across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The U.S. will continue to hit Iran 'extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

What’s next

Analysts will be closely monitoring the impact of the gas price hikes on consumer spending and travel plans over the Easter holiday weekend.

The takeaway

The sudden and steep rise in gas prices ahead of a major travel holiday underscores the volatility of global oil markets and the outsized influence geopolitical tensions can have on the daily lives of average Americans.