The national retail average Tuesday for a gallon of gas was $3.79, according to AAA. That’s up from $3.718 on Monday and up from the $2.917 price one month ago.

WASHINGTON — Gas prices continued to rise again Tuesday, with the national retail average reaching nearly 90 cents higher than last month.  

The national retail average for a gallon of regular gasoline Tuesday was $3.79, according to AAA. That’s up more than 7 cents from Monday’s average of $3.718 and a nearly 90-cent increase from one month ago, when a gallon averaged $2.917. 

California remained the only state with a retail average above $5. The per-gallon price Tuesday for regular gas was $5.542. Washington, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon rounded out the top five states where gas prices were highest.  

The lowest per-gallon price for regular gasoline Tuesday was in Kansas at $3.209, according to AAA data.  

The national retail average for a gallon of diesel crossed the $5 threshold Tuesday at $5.044. That’s up from $4.988 per gallon on Monday and up from $3.651 one month ago. 

The highest recorded average price of regular unleaded gasoline was $5.016 on June 14, 2022, and the highest recorded average price per gallon of diesel was $5.816 in June 19, 2022, according to AAA. 


Why are gas and diesel prices rising?  

Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel are all derived from crude oil. When the price per barrel of crude oil fluctuates, it has a direct impact on consumers. Higher prices for crude oil typically mean a higher price at the pump. 

The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted vital global oil infrastructure and trade routes. The Strait of Hormuz, where roughly 20% of all oil passes, has been effectively closed. The strait, located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, cuts between Iran and Oman. 

Crude oil has surpassed $100 per barrel several times in recent weeks. The U.S. benchmark for crude oil dipped to about $93 on Monday, which is only the second decline since the Iran war began. 

Gas prices aren’t the only challenge consumers are expected to face with the rising oil costs, though. Air travel and supply chains that rely on diesel or jet fuel to transport goods are also expected to drive up prices. 

Actions are underway in the U.S. and globally to attempt to offset costs. 

The U.S. announced plans to release more than 170 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over the course of four months as part of the International Energy Agency’s plan to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil, which AAA reports is the largest emergency release in its history. 

Demand for gas is higher this time of year, when the weather begins to warm up and more travelers hit the road for spring break, according to AAA.