Oil Tops $100 Per Barrel; These 10 States Now Have the Highest Gas Prices

This week, the price of Brent crude topped $100 a barrel for the first time since July. The spike came as fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified in the Strait of Hormuz. In recent days, Iranian ballistic missiles have targeted multiple American military vessels, including U.S. Navy destroyers and an aircraft carrier. The attacks were ultimately thwarted, and the United States responded by destroying five Iranian oil tankers. 

The recent escalation is only the latest in a war that has squeezed global oil supplies for more than six months, as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively become impassable for most commercial tankers. As a result, oil prices are now approximately 40% higher than they were before the war began in late February. 

Crude oil is an essential raw material behind hundreds of consumer products, including gasoline. And the oil supply shock resulting from the bottle neck out of the Persian Gulf has sent gas prices soaring in the United States. According to a report from AAA, average gas prices over the holiday weekend hit an all-time Labor Day high of $4.14 nationwide. Pain at the pump has only gotten worse in the days since. As of Wednesday, September 9, the average price of a gallon of gas nationwide was $4.22—and in some states, prices are even higher. 

Using data from AAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states with the highest gas prices. We ranked all 50 states on the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline as of Sept. 9, 2026. Only the 10 states with the highest average prices are listed. For comparison purposes, we also listed average statewide gas prices on the eve of the war in Iran, using data from the Center for American Progress. All other supplemental data in this story is from AAA. 

10. Illinois

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $4.42 (up $1.37 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.25 per gallon one month ago; $3.45 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.56 per gallon in June 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Chicago; $4.73 per gallon

9. Arizona

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $4.56 (up $1.27 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.33 per gallon one month ago; $3.53 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.39 per gallon in June 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Scottsdale; $4.75 per gallon

8. Utah

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $4.64 (up $1.87 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.31 per gallon one month ago; $3.32 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.26 per gallon in July 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: St. George; $4.70 per gallon

7. Idaho

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $4.72 (up $1.75 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.35 per gallon one month ago; $3.49 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.25 per gallon in July 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Boise; $4.75 per gallon

6. Nevada

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $4.99 (up $1.28 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.76 per gallon one month ago; $3.87 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.68 per gallon in June 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Reno; $5.31 per gallon

5. Alaska

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $5.03 (up $1.44 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.78 per gallon one month ago; $3.79 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.61 per gallon in June 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Anchorage; $4.99 per gallon

4. Oregon

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $5.06 (up $1.14 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $4.66 per gallon one month ago; $4.14 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.55 per gallon in June 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Grants Pass; $5.22 per gallon

3. Hawaii

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $5.40 (up $1.00 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $5.45 per gallon one month ago; $4.48 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.67 per gallon in April 2026
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Lihue; $5.70 per gallon

2. Washington

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $5.53 (up $1.17 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $5.13 per gallon one month ago; $4.50 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $5.79 per gallon in May 2026
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: Seattle; $5.67 per gallon

1. California

• Average price of a gallon of regular gas: $5.88 (up $1.24 from pre-Iran war price)
• Historical average gas prices in state: $5.59 per gallon one month ago; $4.63 per gallon one year ago 
• Highest average gas price in state history: $6.44 per gallon in June 2022
• Metro area where gas prices are currently highest in state: San Luis Obispo; $6.11 per gallon