The national average price for regular gas held steady on Monday at $4.125 per gallon, for the second day in a row. It comes after three consecutive days of decreases following last week’s announcement of the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. On Friday, the first day in weeks in which gas prices declined, the cost for a gallon of regular gas dropped to $4.153. On Thursday, the national average price for regular gas was $4.16 per gallon.
Despite the recent price drop, Monday’s gas prices are still slightly higher than a week ago, when the national average price for a gallon of regular gas was $4.119 per gallon, according to AAA. Gas prices remain significantly higher than a month ago, when the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.63. A year ago, regular gas was over a dollar per gallon less expensive, costing just $3.189 per gallon.
Since setting a five-year low at $2.79 per gallon on Jan. 12, gas prices have steadily climbed over the weeks. Initially, severe winter weather across the country was blamed for the gradual price hike, as snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production, affecting pricing. However, gas prices began to soar as Operation Epic Fury commenced. 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.
The military conflict with Iran, including Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the subsequent increase in gas prices, has 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. Friday’s price of $4.153 per gallon remains a record high for either of Trump’s terms. Affordable gas prices and fuel costs had typically been a staple of President Donald Trump’s terms.
Current fuel costs don’t resemble the affordable prices of the Trump administration but more closely resemble those reached under former President Joe Biden. While the recent increase in gas costs has not reached the record highs of June 2022, when the national average was over $5 per gallon, if gas prices continue to rise at the current pace, a new national record high could be set shortly. This is especially true given the traditional hike in gas prices that occurs through Memorial Day Weekend, which is only 42 days away.
Regardless of the fluctuation of national highs and lows, fuel costs do vary depending on the section of the country. The lowest prices are currently found in Midwestern states, while the highest gas prices in the nation are in the states along the Pacific coast and in the western part of the country.
California remains the state with the highest statewide average gas price in the country at $5.893 per gallon. Hawaii is next at $5.642 per gallon. This is followed by Washington state at $5.39. Oregon is next at $4.986, followed by Nevada at $4.978.
Oklahoma has the nation’s lowest gas prices, at $3.443 per gallon. Kansas is next at $3.49 per gallon. Next, is Nebraska with a statewide average of $3.597, followed by North Dakota at $3.608 per gallon. Arkansas is next at $3.64 per gallon.
Click here 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 higher than the national average, with a cost of $4.282 on Monday. This was a slight increase from Sunday’s pricing of $4.28. Prices have held steady over the last seven days as, a week ago, gas in the district was $4.281. A month ago, fuel costs were much lower in Washington, D.C., at $3.702 per gallon.
Maryland
Gas prices in Maryland dropped on Monday to $4.12 per gallon. This was a marginal decrease from Sunday’s cost of $4.127 and less expensive than Friday’s pricing of $4.162 per gallon. A week ago, the statewide average in Maryland was $4.088 per gallon. As in every state, gas prices in Maryland were significantly lower a month ago, when the state’s average price was $3.533 per gallon.
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Delaware
Gas prices in Delaware were lower than the national average on Monday, at $4.013 per gallon. This was a 2-cent decrease from Friday. A week ago, gas in Delaware was about 10 cents lower than today, with a statewide average of $3.91. A month ago, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Delaware was only $3.382.
Virginia
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Virginia on Monday is $4.005, lower than the national average and less expensive than the price in Washington, D.C. Fuel costs in Virginia were approximately four cents lower than on Friday, when the price was $4.046 per gallon. Gas prices in Virginia decreased from a week ago, when gas was $4.063 per gallon. Fuel costs were also significantly less expensive in the state a month ago, when a gallon of regular gas was $3.406.