Drivers in the Los Angeles area are facing a sharp and swift spike at the pump, with gasoline prices jumping more than 53 cents per gallon in just seven days as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to rattle global energy markets.
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Los Angeles reached $5.18 Monday, up 53.2 cents from the week prior, according to GasBuddy, which surveyed 2,135 stations across the region. The jump marks a 66.2-cent increase from a month ago and leaves drivers paying 53.4 cents more per gallon than they were at this time last year, when the regional average stood at $4.64.
The increases show no sign of slowing. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, warned that gasoline prices in many states could climb an additional 20 to 50 cents per gallon in the coming days, with diesel potentially rising even more sharply — between 35 and 75 cents per gallon — as global distillate markets absorb the shock.
"In just a week, consumers have seen gasoline prices surge at one of the fastest rates in years after oil prices spiked following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz," De Haan said. "With additional attacks across the Middle East over the weekend pushing oil above $100 per barrel for the first time in years, fuel markets are now rapidly recalibrating to the risk of prolonged disruption to global supply flows."
The price disparity within Los Angeles itself was stark. The cheapest station in the region was priced at $3.99 per gallon Sunday, while the most expensive reached $6.49 — a $2.50 spread. Statewide, the gap was even wider, ranging from a low of $3.71 to a high of $7.09 per gallon.
The surge is not limited to Los Angeles. Neighboring regions are seeing similar jumps, with drivers in Riverside paying an average of $5.08 per gallon — up 57.7 cents from last week's $4.50. Ventura County's average climbed to $5.14, a 57.3-cent increase from $4.57 the prior week. Orange County drivers are paying $5.16 per gallon, up 53.3 cents from $4.63.
By comparison, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.45 Monday — up 51.1 cents from the prior week and 54.1 cents higher than a month ago. AAA placed the national average slightly higher at $3.53 per gallon as of Monday.
California's premium prices reflect a structural vulnerability in the state's fuel supply. Some of the state's refineries have shut down in recent years, leaving California heavily reliant on gasoline imports from Asia — a supply chain increasingly disrupted by the conflict overseas.
The national average price of diesel has also surged, rising 85.9 cents compared to a week ago to reach $4.599 per gallon.
The fuel price spike is rooted in a dramatic escalation in the Middle East. Crude oil surpassed $110 per barrel Monday — heights not seen since 2022 — after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquified natural gas normally flows.
While the price has fluctuated day by day, oil prices had stood around $67 per barrel before the conflict began, meaning crude has now surged roughly 42% to approximately $95 per barrel, according to figures from The Associated Press. Across the U.S., drivers were paying an average of $2.98 before the war started, reflecting an increase of about 17% since hostilities began.
"The longer this lasts, the more significant the shock would be," said Gregory Daco, chief economist at consulting firm EY-Parthenon.
The ripple effects extend well beyond the gas pump. Diesel — which powers the 18-wheelers that move goods across the country — jumped 23% since the war began. Fuel accounts for 50% to 60% of total operating costs for shipping goods by sea, according to Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, meaning the broader economy will feel the strain.
"When fuel prices start to go up, everything starts to slow down," Penfield said. "So your ships slow down, your trucks slow down. People are less apt to ship things via air. And it really kind of causes a drag on the economy when fuel prices go up."
Home energy costs are also expected to rise. Europe's benchmark natural gas has surged 75% since the war began, according to Intercontinental Exchange data. Higher natural gas prices would also push up costs for products derived from petrochemical feedstocks, including plastics, rubber and nitrogen fertilizer.
Food prices may eventually follow. David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University, noted that while grocery store prices may not reflect the shock immediately, sustained high oil prices would raise the cost of farm inputs and transportation alike.
"Food gets to the grocery store on diesel, whether it's on a truck or on a boat," Ortega said.
Economists at JPMorgan estimate U.S. inflation could climb from 2.4% in January to 3% or higher in coming months if oil prices remain elevated. Daco projected that the bump in gas prices could push monthly inflation as high as 1% in March — the highest monthly increase in four years.
With prices expected to keep climbing, consumer finance experts at The Penny Hoarder (https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/how-to-save-on-gas/) say there are concrete steps drivers can take to soften the blow.
The fastest savings can come from apps like GasBuddy and Upside, which help drivers locate the cheapest stations nearby and earn cash back on fuel purchases — up to 25 cents per gallon at participating stations in some cases. GasBuddy's Pay with GasBuddy program offers free enrollment with savings of up to 25 cents per gallon at most national chains, while a paid version at $9.99 per month can cut up to 40 cents per gallon.
Rewards credit cards that offer cash back on fuel purchases and gas station loyalty programs can also reduce the effective price per gallon. Some grocery chains, including Kroger, allow shoppers to earn fuel points redeemable at partner gas stations.
Timing matters too. According to GasBuddy data, gas prices tend to be lowest on Sundays and highest on Wednesdays through Fridays as weekend travel demand increases.
Driving habits can also have a measurable impact. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking increase fuel consumption, while maintaining proper tire inflation can save about 2 cents per gallon, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Using cruise control on long highway stretches and avoiding extended idling are additional ways to stretch a tank.
For longer-term relief, choosing regular-grade fuel — for vehicles that don't require premium — can save 20 to 40 cents per gallon. Premium octane offers no performance or efficiency benefit in vehicles not designed to require it.
Drivers planning road trips should also map out cheaper fuel corridors before departing. Prices can vary significantly across state lines, and stations at highway exits or in urban cores typically charge more than those a short distance off the main route. Louisiana, for instance, was averaging $3.04 per gallon Monday — well below California's $5.20 average.
"The situation remains highly fluid," De Haan said, "but consumers are already beginning to feel the impact as energy markets adjust to this sudden escalation."
Associated Press writers CATHY BUSSEWITZ, MAE ANDERSON and CHRIS RUGABER contributed to this report.