Gas prices increased again on Tuesday, with the national average for regular gas rising to $4.14 per gallon, according to AAA. It’s the ninth straight day of increases at the pumps, continuing the trend of having the most expensive gas prices since 2022.
Since setting a five-year low for fuel costs at $2.79 per gallon on Jan. 12, gas prices have risen. Initially, severe winter weather nationwide was blamed for the gradual price hike in late January and early February. Snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production, affecting pricing. However, gas prices began to soar with the commencement of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28. At the beginning of March, a gallon of regular gas increased to $2.984. By March 31, the national average price for regular gas rose to $4.018 per gallon.
Tuesday’s pricing was over two cents per gallon higher than on Monday. Over the last week, the national average increased by over 12 cents per gallon. A month ago, a gallon of regular gas was $3.413. Fuel costs are also significantly more expensive than a year ago, when a gallon of regular gas was only $3.259, according to AAA.
The military conflict in Iran and the subsequent increase in gas prices have made it a hotly contested topic in the nation’s political discourse, similar to how high gas prices were a frequent point of concern during former President Joe Biden’s term. Tuesday’s price of $4.14 per gallon is a record high for either of Trump’s presidential terms, a dubious distinction that repeats itself whenever gas prices rise. Affordable gas prices and fuel costs had typically been a staple of Trump’s terms, up to and including January 2026.
Today’s fuel costs don’t resemble the cost-efficient, affordable prices of the Trump administration but more closely resemble those reached under former President Joe Biden. Currently, prices are far from matching the highest price ever recorded in June 2022, when the national average was over $5 per gallon. However, if gas prices continue to rise at the current pace, a new national record high could be established shortly. This is especially true given the traditional hike in gas prices that occurs through Memorial Day Weekend, which is only 48 days away.
Gas prices vary by region of the country. The West Coast has the highest gas prices in the U.S., a trend that has persisted for years. Meanwhile, Midwestern states hold the distinction of having the nation’s cheapest gas prices.
Oklahoma has the nation’s lowest gas prices, at $3.347 per gallon. Kansas is next at $3.39 per gallon. This is followed by Iowa and North Dakota, both with statewide averages of $3.484 per gallon. This is followed by Nebraska with an average price of $3.538 per gallon.
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California remains the state with the highest statewide average gas price in the country at $5.93 per gallon. Hawaii is next at $5.604 per gallon. This is followed by Washington state at $5.392. Nevada is next at $5.009, followed by Oregon at $5.002.
Click here to see the cost of gas in different states. Read below to see the average prices for a gallon of regular gas in and around Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Fuel prices in the nation’s capital are more expensive than the national average, with a cost of $4.289 on Tuesday. This was a slight increase from Monday’s pricing of $4.281. A week ago, gas in the District was just $4.191 while regular gas in Washington, D.C. was only $3.421 per gallon.
Maryland
Similar to the national average, gas prices in Maryland increased on Tuesday to $4.168 per gallon, a big jump from Monday’s $4.088. Tuesday’s price was also higher than a week ago, when residents in the state paid $4.014 per gallon for regular gas. A month ago, gas in Maryland was much less expensive at $3.461 per gallon.
Delaware
Gas prices in Delaware were lower than the national average and still below the $4-per-gallon threshold, at $3.983. This was a seven-cent increase from Monday, when gas was $3.914. A week ago, gas in the First State was $3.876 per gallon, and a month ago, fuel was just $3.349.
Virginia
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Virginia on Tuesday is $4.073, lower than the national average and less than the price in Washington, D.C. Pricing was only one cent higher than Monday. Like every other state in the nation, gas prices in Virginia increased from a week ago when gas was only $3.932 per gallon. Moreover, following the trend in every other state in the nation, gas prices were also significantly lower in Virginia a month ago, when a gallon of regular gas was down to $3.259.