Key facts
- The national average price for a gallon of regular gas rose to $4.28 on Thursday, up 6 cents in 24 hours.
- This price is $1.08 higher per gallon than a year ago.
- California had the highest average regular-gas price on Thursday at $5.89 a gallon.
- Indiana had the lowest average regular-gas price at $3.56 a gallon.
- The national average price for diesel hit a record $5.94 a gallon.
- The escalating conflict in the Middle East has impacted global oil supplies.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has climbed to $4.28, according to AAA, marking a significant increase from both the previous day and the prior year. This surge is occurring amidst escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which are impacting global oil supplies. The conflict has led to attacks on oil tankers and shipping lanes, contributing to a rise in Brent crude prices above $100 a barrel. Drivers are experiencing these higher costs nationwide, with California reporting the highest average gas price and Indiana the lowest. The price of diesel fuel has also reached a record national average, which economists warn is contributing to broader inflation across various sectors, including groceries and airline tickets.