AAA Gas Prices Show National Average Above $4.50 After Sharp Weekly Jump
Gas prices have climbed above $4.50 a gallon nationally, putting U.S. drivers under the heaviest pump pressure since the summer of 2022.
AAA listed the current national average for regular gasoline at $4.536, up more than 30 cents from a week ago and roughly $1.38 higher than the same time last year. The increase comes as oil markets respond to war-related disruption, tighter fuel supplies and the approach of peak summer driving season.
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The economic effect is immediate. Higher gas prices leave households with less money for groceries, restaurants, travel and retail spending. Businesses that depend on shipping, delivery or commuting labor can also face higher costs.
The broader economy is still absorbing the shock, but elevated fuel prices can feed inflation expectations and put new pressure on policymakers if the spike lasts through summer.
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