The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline topped $4 on Tuesday, reaching $4.02 according to AAA -- the highest level since 2022 and more than a dollar above where prices stood before the US-Iran war began on February 28 [1].

The milestone arrived faster than many analysts had predicted. Gas prices have climbed approximately 34 percent since the conflict started, with the pace of increase matching the fastest surge since the 2020 oil price crisis [2]. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan warned that prices are likely to push higher still, with diesel potentially approaching $6 per gallon [3].

The impact is hitting unevenly across the country. Florida's average jumped 17 cents in a single day to $4.12, while California stations are already posting prices above $5.50 [4]. The New York Times reported over the weekend that Americans are rethinking spring break travel plans as fuel costs erode discretionary budgets [5].

The EPA has temporarily eased fuel blend requirements in an effort to increase supply, but analysts say the measure will provide only marginal relief as long as the underlying conflict continues to constrain global oil markets.

-- Hendrik van der Berg, London