US gasoline crosses $4 per gallon average — up 35% since war began, first time since August 2022

US gasoline prices crossed an average of $4 per gallon on Tuesday March 31, according to data from the AAA motor club cited by the New York Times. The average cost of gas has jumped 35 percent since the war began at the end of February, the fastest rate of gasoline price increase in recent US history. It is the first time the US average has crossed $4 per gallon since August 2022. The spike is directly attributable to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles one-fifth of the world's oil supplies. Gas prices are becoming a political burden for President Trump, who simultaneously faces pressure from Republicans worried about 2026 midterm exposure and Democrats calling the war 'profoundly illegal' (Spain's language, echoed by some US voices). The EU energy commissioner on the same day wrote to EU energy ministers suggesting they 'consider demand saving measures' per IEA guidance. American farmers are also being hit by higher fertilizer costs (natural gas-linked) and falling commodity prices from disrupted export markets.