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(NEXSTAR) – As gas prices in the United States continue their upward trajectory this month, the Trump administration has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at curbing the costs. However, experts caution that these measures might not significantly alter the current trend.
On Wednesday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline climbed past $3.84, marking the highest level since September 2023. Overnight data from AAA indicates a four-cent increase, bringing the average to $3.884. Diesel prices also remain high, exceeding $5 per gallon.
The country is experiencing an unprecedented surge in gasoline prices, with a record-setting increase of about 97 cents over the past four weeks, according to Patrick De Haan, who leads petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
AAA reports that since Sunday, the statewide averages for a gallon of regular gas have risen by as much as 38 cents. In some states, prices have skyrocketed by more than a dollar per gallon since the start of the month.
As of Thursday, AAA notes that the average price in eight states has exceeded $4 per gallon, an increase from six states the previous week.
Three states — Idaho, Florida, and Michigan — and the District of Columbia are within 10 cents of the $4 benchmark.
California, Washington, and Hawaii are the only states where the average is at least $5. Oregon is roughly 30 cents shy of that price point.
The most affordable state in the nation is Oklahoma, where the average for a gallon of gas is $3.243 as of Thursday. That’s still up nearly 20 cents over last week.
The interactive map below shows how much each state’s average price for a gallon of gas has jumped since March 1, as well as the cost as of Thursday:
As high as these prices may seem, they aren’t yet near the records set in 2022. That summer, every state saw the average price for a gallon of gas surpass $4.49. In California, prices peaked at $6.438, on average, according to AAA.
It’s Washington state that sits nearest its 2022 record price of $5.555 a gallon. As of Thursday, the statewide average is $5.145. For 44 other states, AAA data shows the average would have to increase by at least another dollar.