Gas just hit $4 because Donald Trump picked a fight he can’t finish and your tank is paying his tab
Things are getting worse.
Gas prices in the U.S. just hit their highest level in four years. The average gallon of gas now costs $4.17, according to AAA data released on April 28, 2026. That’s a $1.19 jump since the war with Iran kicked off on February 28, marking a 28% increase in just two months, per ABC News. The surge is directly tied to the ongoing conflict, which has thrown global oil markets into chaos and shows no signs of letting up.
The war between the U.S. and Israel against Iran has triggered one of the biggest oil shocks in history. The conflict escalated when Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
That move sent oil prices skyrocketing, and since crude is the main ingredient in gasoline, accounting for more than half of what you pay at the pump, prices have followed suit. U.S. oil futures were hovering around $99 a barrel on Tuesday, a more than 50% increase from pre-war levels.
This isn’t the first time gas prices have spiked during the conflict
They hit a previous high on April 9, but a brief U.S.-Iran ceasefire announced the next day temporarily eased the pressure. Unfortunately, that relief was short-lived. Recent days have seen prices climb again as negotiations over the war appear to have hit a wall. With no resolution in sight, experts warn that prices could keep rising, especially as summer driving season approaches.
The U.S. is actually a net exporter of petroleum, meaning it produces more oil than it consumes. But because oil prices are set on a global market, domestic prices still rise and fall with worldwide supply and demand. That’s why even though the U.S. isn’t directly dependent on Iranian oil, the conflict’s impact on global supply chains has sent prices soaring at home.
The situation has left drivers and businesses scrambling, particularly those reliant on diesel fuel, which has surged more than 40% to $5.37 per gallon, according to CNBC. Diesel is the lifeblood of trucking and freight industries, so higher costs there ripple through the economy, driving up prices for everything from groceries to online orders.
The Trump administration has taken steps to try to ease the pain
In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) temporarily waived regulations on the types of gasoline sold during the summer months. Normally, the sale of E15 gas – a blend with 15% ethanol – is restricted in about half the country from June through September due to air pollution concerns.
But with prices surging, the EPA lifted those restrictions, along with federal barriers to selling E10 gas, which contains 10% ethanol. The agency also suspended enforcement of certain state fuel requirements, allowing gasoline with ethanol content between 9% and 15% to hit the market.
“EPA waivers will work to prevent disruption in America’s fuel supply by keeping E15 and E10 on the market and giving Americans more fuel options,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said at the time. The waivers will take effect on May 1 and last through May 20, though Zeldin hinted they could be extended if the supply issues persisted.
The move was a rare bit of good news, but it’s clear that temporary fixes won’t solve the bigger problem. Gas prices had already surged more than 30% to $3.98 per gallon by late March, and the situation has only worsened since then. The current $4.17 average is the highest since 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent global energy markets into a tailspin. Back then, prices peaked at around $5 a gallon before gradually easing.
The economic impact of these rising prices can’t be overstated
Higher fuel costs don’t just hit your wallet at the pump. They drive up the price of nearly everything else. Transportation costs for goods rise, which means businesses pass those expenses on to consumers. That’s why you might have noticed your grocery bill creeping up or online orders taking a bigger bite out of your budget.
For industries that rely heavily on diesel, like trucking and agriculture, the pain is even more acute. Farmers, for example, depend on diesel to power tractors and other equipment, and those higher costs can translate to pricier food down the line.
For now, the focus remains on the immediate crisis. With no end to the war in sight and global oil supplies still disrupted, there’s little reason to expect prices to drop anytime soon. The EPA’s waivers might provide some temporary relief, but they’re a band-aid on a much larger problem. Until the Strait of Hormuz reopens or a diplomatic solution is reached, drivers across the country will have to keep digging deeper into their pockets every time they pull up to the pump.
(Featured image: RDNE Stock project on Pexels)
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