NEW YORK — U.S. national average gasoline prices rose above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, according to data released Tuesday by the American Automobile Association.
The AAA reported the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline reached $4.018 as of March 31, 2026. The price has climbed more than $1 in the past month, from about $2.98 in late February.
The increase follows disruptions to global oil supplies linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Crude oil prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, pushing retail fuel costs higher across the United States, AAA data showed.
Prices vary significantly by state. California recorded the highest average at more than $5.80 per gallon, while states such as Texas remained below $3.70 in some reports from earlier in the month. The national figure represents an average across all states and regions.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a recent statement that prices were trending higher due to supply concerns. “Gas prices are guaranteed to go higher in coming days,” he noted in commentary cited by multiple outlets.
The Energy Information Administration and other trackers have shown weekly gains of 10 cents or more in recent periods. The surge marks a reversal from lower prices seen earlier in the year.
White House officials have pointed to the release of millions of barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve earlier in March as an effort to ease pressure on markets. However, the impact on pump prices has been limited so far, according to industry analysts.
Oil industry groups have attributed the rise primarily to reduced supply availability from the Persian Gulf region. No immediate comments were available from major oil companies on Tuesday regarding refinery operations or import adjustments.
As of Tuesday, the situation at the pump remained fluid, with some stations reporting prices still below the national average and others exceeding $4.50 in high-cost areas. AAA advised motorists that further increases could occur in the coming weeks depending on global crude oil movements.
Details on the exact volume of additional supply disruptions remained unclear. The Department of Energy has not issued a new forecast on when prices might stabilize.
