By Julie LaDuca
The tensions surrounding politics right now can be felt everywhere. Most clearly, the impact settles most within the prices of gas and diesel. Here in the US gas and diesel prices have gone up significantly and quickly. The average price of gas is now over $4 a gallon for most drivers. Not only does gas pricing affect the consumers, but because it costs more to transport we see goods and services charging more. All of this lands strictly on the consumer.
Driving used to be fun, getting to control where you’re going behind an all too expensive piece of equipment. Since the US joined forces with Israel during the Israel-Iran war, constant blockades and missiles started to affect the US economy. The price of crude oil which is a necessary gas and diesel ingredient went up to $100 a barrel during the conflict. It got worse when the US lost access to the Strait Of Hormuz, causing supply chain costs for the crude oil to skyrocket. On March 31st, 2026 gas rose to a new average of officially $4.02 a gallon, and as of now the average is $4.45 a gallon. Consumers are paying more to drive, and paying more for their favorite food that uses diesel transportation.
It’s become quite a big issue around with a lot of people switching to riding their bikes or scooters. For those who do choose to keep driving, gas now eats up most average paychecks. An anonymous source replied to a survey conducted by the Spirit that their work commute is 45 mins, and half of their own paycheck goes right into the gas cycle. Half of a paycheck is a lot for a consumer to have to worry about, but unfortunately that’s the new norm with these prices.
What about when businesses need transportation for their products and such. A lot utilize independent drivers whose specific job is to transport or restaurants use apps like doordash. Even fast food places hire drivers as a permanent position who use their own vehicles, just to get the food to a doorstep. A woman who drives for work replied to our survey that she spends $200 a week on gas to drive for a living.
The numbers at the pumps are so big for both gas and diesel it’s become a second struggle for some. Things like: rent, groceries and utilities used to be the biggest bills accounted for. Adding another piece on that list just adds more stress on the consumer’s plate.
Some consumers even find that they have to cut out the little pleasure things they might have just to keep transportation running. Another source reported, “it’s become very costly and inconvenient to get places without worrying about prices or gas.”
All of this additional cost plaguing the transportation industry now rides up the cost of food and snacks. This increase then stretches the check out even more, as if there isn’t enough already. Now after gas and food, what about rent. Our economy now is very dependant on gasoline and is no longer consumer friendly.
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