Americans have spent an estimated $102 billion more on gasoline and diesel since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, 2026.
Cost Breakdown
- Per household: The added burden amounts to roughly $780 for the typical U.S. household.
- Gasoline vs. diesel: Brown University’s Iran War Energy Cost Tracker estimates that more than $56 billion of the additional spending has come from higher gasoline costs, while over $46 billion has been driven by increased diesel prices.
- State impact: Texas has absorbed the largest overall increase, at roughly $11 billion in additional fuel costs, followed by California at $8 billion and Florida at $5 billion.
What’s Driving the Increase?
Strait of Hormuz Disruptions
Disruptions and stalled tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, have kept international oil markets under pressure. The waterway carries a significant share of the world’s crude oil shipments, making disruptions there especially consequential for global energy prices.
Record-High Fuel Prices
The surge in energy costs has pushed retail diesel above $6 per gallon for the first time, while the national average price for regular gasoline has remained well above $4 per gallon. The average price of gas in MA is $4.35 and climbing.
The result has been a substantial increase in transportation and household costs across the United States, with the financial impact extending far beyond the price paid at the pump.
