The drive to and from the office just got more expensive.
Prices at the gas pump jumped an average of 11 cents across the US on Tuesday morning, according to AAA. The national price for a gallon of regular gas climbed from $3.00 on Monday to $3.11 on Tuesday, while premium fuel rose from $3.86 to $3.98.
That’s the largest single-day price rise at the pump since March 2022, AAA told Business Insider. Every state except Hawaii experienced Tuesday’s price jump.
It’s also the first time the national average for regular gas has topped $3 a gallon in 2026.
The spike comes as Iran expands attacks in response to bombings by the US and Israel. In recent days, Iran has launched missiles and drones at Israel and at US bases in Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Those attacks have rattled oil markets and raised fears of supply disruptions.
On Monday, QatarEnergy throttled production of liquefied natural gas after drone attacks damaged one of its facilities.
Iran has also threatened ships traveling through the 21-mile Strait of Hormuz, where about 20% of the world’s crude oil supply passes through, Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, wrote in a note.
In response, Brent crude oil, the benchmark for global oil pricing, hovered above $80 a barrel on mid-day trading. That’s up about 4% from Monday.
There’s another pressure point for consumers: The summer driving season is about to start.
“Spring weather may be weeks away in much of the country, but the seasonal rise in gas prices is underway,” AAA wrote last Thursday. “Gas demand is also expected to increase next month as spring break season kicks off and more drivers take road trips.”
Higher demand, combined with fears of supply disruptions, is a historic recipe for rising prices.
