By Arlenys Tabare
After the start of the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, The price of gasoline has skyrocketed throughout the country, reaching all-time highs since 2022, Therefore, thousands of drivers in recent weeks in the largest cities have had their pockets greatly affected in what now represents a considerable cost for their travel.
According to AAA data, the average price of gasoline is $4.53 per gallon; However, in some states the cost is already over $6 per gallon. For Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, “The average price to fill the tank today is between $15 to $30 more expensive than a year ago,” he told ABC Files.
According to reports from the American Automobile Association (AAA), among The states with the highest gas prices are California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaiiwhere costs range between $6.14 and $4.65 per gallon.
“If you are one of those who travel long distances to work and live between 80 and 160 kilometers, and you fill the tank two or three times a week, you are talking about between $50 and $100 more per month. And for those who make very long trips, the impact is even greater”De Haan noted.
In this sense, in the case of residents in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas-Citadel Worth or Washington, DC who inevitably have to commute daily, GasBuddy economists assure that they can spend approximately up to $100 a month on fuel alone.
This has caused many to choose to work from home. A survey recently published by AmericanMuscle.com revealed that 12% of American respondents had started working remotely, 6% were looking for a job closer to home and 15% said they plan to switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle, all in order to save money on gas.
From March to date, rising gasoline prices have cost Americans more than $28 billion. “Some of it is seasonal, but it certainly represents a significant economic impact; “We are in the middle of all this,” He highlighted oil analysis on GasBuddy, while adding that costs can be expected to be much higher this summer until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
Finally, both De Haan and other economists point out that high gasoline prices are only affecting lower-income households; If they use their salaries to pay for fuel, it will mean less budget for other discretionary expenses. “Without a doubt, that could cause an economic slowdown, depending on the severity of the situation”assured the specialist.
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