Why gas prices spiked again and how to save when you fill up at the pump

U.S. gas prices have jumped past an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022 as fuel prices continue to soar worldwide amid the Iran war.

According to motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.02 — over a dollar more than before the war began.

The last time U.S. drivers were collectively paying this much at the pump was nearly four years ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The price is a national average, meaning drivers in some states have been paying well over $4 a gallon for a while now.

Gas prices spike in Philadelphia region

Just like the national average, prices for gas in the Greater Philadelphia region have seen about $1 increase over the last month.

• Philadelphia 5-county area: $4.02
• South Jersey” $3.95
• Delaware: $3.87

Fuel prices rise, rattling global markets

Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway leading out of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported during peacetime, has driven up global oil prices, as have Tehran’s attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around $107 a barrel on Tuesday, up more than 45% since the war started Feb. 28.

Trump directed blame at U.S. allies like the United Kingdom and France that have refused to enter a war with no clear endgame that they were not consulted on.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” Trump wrote.

Tips to save money when you fill up

Where you buy your gas matters. NBC10 Responds took a look around and saw what influences how much you pay at the pump.

GasBuddy says that Philadelphia has the highest prices in our area.

One gas station in Fishtown was at $4.49 for a gallon of regular while drivers in Delaware and Montgomery counties are seeing an average of #3.95 to $4.25.

Prices get more expensive in high population area and commuter hubs like Interstate 95 and I-76.

GasBuddy also told NBC10 that the cheapest day to buy gas is typically on a Sunday while the most expensive days falling in the middle of the week.

Other tips to save on gas include:

• Sign up for gas station loyalty programs.
• Use credit cards that give cash back or points when buying gas.
• Typically, never pick the first gas station you see because prices can vary wildly station to station.
• Check your tires: Lower tire pressure means you’re burning more fuel.
• How you drive matters: Avoid speeding, braking suddenly or accelerating rapidly.
• Look beyond big-brand stations because smaller chains or warehouse clubs often have cheaper gas.

For more resources on how to track gas prices based on your zip code, click here.