The national gas price jumped nearly 27 cents to $3. 25 as of March 5, 2026 ET, reflecting a fresh rise in crude after conflict in the Middle East. AAA data shows the gain moves the national average back to levels seen in early April 2025. The change comes as spring demand patterns begin to take hold and summer-blend production approaches.
Gas Price: How large and who is affected
AAA’s national figures show a nearly 27-cent weekly increase in the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline, lifting the national average to $3. 25. That climb matches the national price from early April 2025 and is the largest weekly jump since March 2022, when markets reacted at the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. The rise is nationwide in scope but state-by-state differences remain wide, with California and Washington among the most expensive markets and Oklahoma and Mississippi among the least expensive.
Supply, demand and crude markets
Energy Information Administration data cited by AAA points to mixed signals in fuel fundamentals: U. S. gasoline demand fell from 8. 73 million barrels per day to 8. 29 million, while total domestic gasoline supply tightened slightly from 254. 8 million barrels to 253. 1 million. Gasoline production increased to an average of 9. 3 million barrels per day last week. At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 10 cents to settle at $74. 66 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 3. 5 million barrels to 439. 3 million barrels, leaving U. S. crude stocks about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Regional retail contrasts persisted: the top 10 most expensive gasoline markets listed include California at $4. 81, Washington at $4. 44 and Hawaii at $4. 43; the least expensive markets include Oklahoma at $2. 79 and Mississippi at $2. 81. Public EV charging rates held steady nationally at 39 cents per kilowatt hour, with notable state variation between the highest and lowest public charging costs.
What’s next for drivers and markets
Springtime demand patterns and the transition to summer-blend gasoline production are named in AAA’s release as cyclical drivers that typically lift pump prices. With crude trading in the mid $70s per barrel linked to conflict-related market pressure, the EIA’s inventory position—about 3% below the five-year average—leaves room for price volatility. Drivers should expect continued monitoring of fuel fundamentals; AAA notes tools are available for finding current gas and electric charging prices along routes.
Market watchers will track how crude settles in coming sessions and whether gasoline supplies tighten further as production shifts for seasonal blends. For now, the national gas price spike marks the sharpest weekly move in years and highlights how geopolitical developments and seasonal demand together can push retail pump prices higher.
