US Gas Prices Rocket Past $4 Per Gallon, Over $6 in CA

AAA reports that average U.S. gas prices rocketed past $4 per gallon Tuesday, reaching their highest level in nearly four years. And in California, we are paying $5.90 per gallon on average, and over $6 per gallon in many places.

Americans have not seen these prices since 2022, during the Biden Administration, when Biden prioritized foreign sources of oil instead of U.S. energy independence, as the Trump administration is. Since January 2025 until the Iran War, Americans were watching gas prices drop. President Donald Trump says the price increases are temporary.

I took these photos of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gas prices Friday March 27, 2026, and was hilariously savaged on X for my statement:

CBS reports that “Gas prices have surged since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, jumping more than a dollar per gallon over the last month, data from the auto club shows.

However, California’s highest-in-the-nation gas prices were already up 80 cents per gallon prior to the war with Iran, while the rest of the country was enjoying some of the lowest priced gas in years.

Here are some of the costly taxation policies implemented in California by the Legislature, Governor and Air Resources Board that drive up the cost of gasoline:

• 71 cents – State gas tax – increases annually
• 28 cents – Cap and Trade (estimate)
• 23 cents – Low Carbon Fuel Standard (estimate)
• 2 cents – Underground Storage Fee
• 10-15 cents – California’s switch to summer-blend costs more to produce than other types of gasoline.
• 14.4 cents – State sales tax (estimate based on 6/20 average price)
• 18.4 cents – Federal Excise tax

California’s total gas tax is approximately $1.61 per gallon – on top of increasing gas prices, and is estimated to be nearly $2.00 of taxes per gallon in 2026.

Oklahoma has the lowest gas prices at $3.23 per gallon.

Interestingly, the highest gas prices are on the West Coast:

High gas prices cause nearly everything to be more expensive – utility bills, road and air travel, food, and household goods.

The last time gas was above $5 per gallon was in August 2022, during the Biden Administration, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Comparing California gas prices with Florida’s, there is a $1.77 per gallon difference:

Comparing California and Oklahoma is a significant gap – more than $2.66 per gallon:

Diesel prices jumped to $5.454 a gallon Tuesday. Diesel is primarily used by truckers, trains and boats, and in agriculture, making food and goods prices higher to ship.

The EPA just approved E15 gasoline, a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, which will be available nationwide starting May 1, 2026, due to a temporary emergency fuel waiver issued by the EPA. This move aims to increase fuel supply and provide more affordable options for consumers.

As for the war with Iran, President Donald Trump had this to say on Truth Social: