Gasoline prices in the United States are rising quickly as the war involving Iran enters its third week, driving volatility in global oil markets and pushing fuel costs higher for American drivers.
According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $3.718 today, up sharply from $3.699 on March 15 and $3.598 on March 12. Just a week earlier, the national average was $3.251.
The increase coincides with escalating tensions in the Middle East. Since the war began on February 28, 2026, gasoline prices have climbed roughly 25% from about $2.98 per gallon to around $3.72.
The conflict has raised fears of disruptions to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supply. Even the possibility of interruptions to that flow has been enough to push oil prices sharply higher, which typically feeds through to gasoline prices within days or weeks.
The political impact could be devastating if gas prices continue to rise. Prediction markets are now pricing in an almost 50% chance of Democrats winning both the House and the Senate in the 2026, an outcome which looked improbable just months ago.
