Gas Prices Jump 44% Since Iran War, With Midwest Hit Hardest
U.S. gas prices have surged about 44% above February 2026 pre-war baselines due to the Iran War, adding roughly $1.25 per gallon on average and about $560 in annual fuel costs per vehicle. The steepest percentage gains—well over 60%—occur in the Midwest and Mountain West (Iowa up 69.1%, Oklahoma 68.8%, etc.), while states with higher starting prices (California, Hawaii, Washington) rose less in percentage terms but remain the costliest per gallon. The rise followed a global oil-supply disruption from Hormuz closure, with roughly 10 million barrels per day off the market. The analysis uses AAA data and emphasizes the broader economy’s sensitivity to crude prices, plus reasons why some high-price states saw smaller percentage increases (taxes, climate policies, blending rules, shipping constraints).
