Gas prices by state show California at $5.62 as U.S. average nears $4
AAA data tracked by NBC News shows pump prices up more than 30% since the Iran war began, with California, Hawaii and Washington highest.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
3 min read
Gas prices by state are flashing a costly summer warning: NBC News, using AAA data, reported that the national average is close to $4 a gallon after rising more than 30% since the U.S. and Israel launched the war in Iran.
The increase has added pressure to household budgets already stretched by higher everyday costs, NBC News reported. The outlet said prices are being tracked daily at the national, state and county levels.
What are gas prices by state right now?
AAA data listed by NBC News for July 25 shows the priciest statewide averages in the West and Pacific. California was at $5.62 per gallon, Hawaii was at $5.45 and Washington was at $5.10.
Several states remained below the national average. The same AAA data showed Indiana at $3.51, Mississippi at $3.67, and Louisiana and Texas at $3.70.
- California: $5.62, up 99 cents since the Iran war began, according to AAA data cited by NBC News.
- Hawaii: $5.45, up $1.04.
- Washington: $5.10, up 74 cents.
- Nevada: $4.77, up $1.07.
- Alaska: $4.73, up $1.14.
- Indiana: $3.51, up 69 cents.
- Texas: $3.70, up $1.09.
- Oklahoma: $3.79, up $1.38.
NBC News reported that average gas prices have climbed by more than $1 a gallon since the first U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. The outlet said California, Hawaii and Washington are at or near $5 per gallon, while Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas are among the lowest-priced states in the AAA data.
Why did gas prices rise?
NBC News attributed the pump-price jump to tighter global oil supplies tied to the war in Iran. Gasoline prices often move with crude oil because oil is the main raw material used to make fuel sold at stations.
Oil prices spiked, then moved up and down, and have recently been approaching pre-war levels as turmoil in the Middle East continued, according to NBC News. Since mid-May, the average national gasoline price has fallen by about 50 cents, the outlet reported.
A Brown University analysis cited by NBC News estimated that the increase in gas prices since the start of the war has cost Americans more than $35 billion.
How far do the price checks go?
NBC News said it is updating its gas-price tracker daily with national, state and county-level data. County prices can vary inside the same state, which means a statewide average may not match the number drivers see on a local station sign.
The fuel squeeze is not limited to regular gasoline, according to NBC News. The outlet reported that jet fuel prices have also been rising, pushing airlines to raise airfares and adding pressure on Spirit Airlines before its shutdown.
Drivers looking for the latest benchmark can compare local pump signs with AAA’s gas price data, which NBC News used for its state-by-state tracking.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.