Gas Prices Skyrocket: How War Impacts U.S. Wallets

0:00On March 31, gas prices nationwide just topped $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, hitting an average of $4, and two cents per gallon of regular unleeded, according to AA data, that jumped high straight to the war, the U.S. and Israel kicked off against Iran and February 28th, spiking crude oil costs with massive supply. Disruptions across the Middle East, including a near-hault in tanker traffic, through the Strait of Hormuz. Drivers and families are feeling the pinch hard, shelling out over a dollar more per gallon than before the conflict, forcing budget cuts elsewhere. While businesses face higher shipping costs, think groceries climbing next, and even the postal service slapping on an 8% surcharge for. Priority mail, world leaders are scrambling with relief mues, like the International Energy Agency tapping 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles. The Trump team easing sanctions on Venezuelan and Russian oil, plus a 60-day waiver on the

1:00Jones Act to speed up domestic shipping. Still, any drop at the pump could lag thanks to refineries, using pricier crude already in the mix, plus seasonal demand for more road trips and costlier summer fuel blends. We're watching if these steps blunt the global oil shock for U.S. wallets anytime soon. From across the country, powered by AI, this is U.S. News Today. I'm Corey, with the story.