These are The States with the highest gas prices Now

The ongoing war in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. On Monday, March 9, Brent crude oil prices briefly rose to nearly $120 a barrel, a 70% increase from February 27, the day before American and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic began. The recent surge has sent oil prices to their highest level in nearly four years. 

So far, Israel and the United States have reportedly hit 4,000 targets in Iran, including government buildings, military installations, and key infrastructure – killing the country’s supreme leader and other top officials. Greatly limited in its capacity to deter American attacks through military force alone, Iran is apparently leveraging its control of one the world’s key shipping channels in retaliation. 

The Strait of Hormuz, located along Iran’s southern border, is a shipping lane that effectively connects the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean, allowing oil producers across the Middle East to access global markets. Under normal circumstances, about 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait. But, amid prohibitive insurance costs against the threat of Iranian strikes, commercial waterway traffic has ground to a halt in recent days. According to The New York Times, five tankers have already been struck since the war began. 

Now, the conflict is beginning to have felt consequences for millions of Americans, as reduced oil supply has sent prices soaring at the pump. As of March 9, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.48, a 20% increase from early February, according to AAA. In some parts of the country, gas is now selling for over $5 a gallon. 

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 gas as of March 9, 2026. Supplemental data on historical and local prices are also from AAA. Only the states where gas prices exceed $3.50 are listed. 

Among the 10 states on this list, average gas prices currently range from $3.52 to $5.20 per gallon. If and when gas prices will return to pre-war levels remains to be seen – but a prolonged price hike could have ripple effects throughout the U.S. economy, driving consumer prices up across the board. President Trump has indicated that he may deploy the U.S. Navy to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but has also acknowledged that gas prices may continue to rise. 

10. Illinois

• Average price per gallon in state: $3.52 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $3.06 1 week ago; $3.02 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Chicago, IL; $3.83 per gallon

9. Michigan

• Average price per gallon in state: $3.58 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $2.99 1 week ago; $2.82 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Lansing-East Lansing, MI; $3.66 per gallon

8. Pennsylvania

• Average price per gallon in state: $3.59 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $3.12 1 week ago; $3.12 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Altoona, PA; $3.77 per gallon

7. Arizona

• Average price per gallon in state: $3.86 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $3.32 1 week ago; $3.09 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Peoria, AZ; $4.14 per gallon

6. Alaska

• Average price per gallon in state: $3.92 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $3.62 1 week ago; $3.46 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Fairbanks, AK; $3.93 per gallon

5. Oregon

• Average price per gallon in state: $4.21 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $3.92 1 week ago; $3.55 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Grants Pass, OR; $4.45 per gallon

4. Nevada

• Average price per gallon in state: $4.21 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $3.70 1 week ago; $3.54 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Reno, NV; $4.52 per gallon

3. Hawaii

• Average price per gallon in state: $4.52 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $4.39 1 week ago; $4.40 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Lihue (Kauai), HI; $4.99 per gallon

2. Washington

• Average price per gallon in state: $4.63 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $4.37 1 week ago; $4.03 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA; $4.81 per gallon

1. California

• Average price per gallon in state: $5.20 (regular) 
• Historical prices per gallon: $4.66 1 week ago; $4.48 1 month ago
• Metro area with highest gas prices: San Rafael, CA; $5.48 per gallon