The average gas price in El Paso on Wednesday, March 11, is $3.53 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. That price is the highest among the 27 largest metro areas across the state of Texas, AAA Texas officials said.
“The price is six cents more than yesterday. It is 40 cents higher than on this day last week. It is 81 cents more than one month ago. And is 69 cents higher than on this day one year ago,” stated Daniel Armbruster, spokesperson for AAA Texas. “The record price for El Paso regular unleaded gasoline average is $4.90, which was set on June 22, 2022.”
Prices of unleaded and diesel have been slightly higher in recent weeks, with escalating conflict involving Iran accelerating the increase.
Prices had already been trending slightly higher in recent weeks, but the escalating conflict involving Iran has accelerated that increase. Iran plays a key role in the global crude oil market, and crude oil is the primary ingredient in gasoline.
“Crude oil prices are elevated amid geopolitical tensions overseas, and that’s putting upward pressure on gas prices. At the same time, we’re entering the time of year when refineries switch to summer-blend gasoline and demand begins to increase as more people take spring road trips,” Armbruster said.
It’s still unclear how long this upward trend may last or how high prices could climb, as much will depend on how global events unfold and how energy markets respond in the coming weeks.
Why did gas prices go up?
The gas prices come after strikes in Iran that ultimately killed the nation’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as dozens of top officials during a campaign called “Epic Fury” that began Feb. 28. The country’s remaining leadership announced that its retaliation would include strikes on regional energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which 20% of the world’s crude oil and natural gas passes through.
Gas prices near me
You can find gas prices near you by using AAA’s fuel prices map.
Cheapest gas near me
You can find gas prices in El Paso by using the El Paso Times Gas Prices tracker.
Gas Buddy also offers comparisons of gas prices near you by downloading the app or you can search by web here.
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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso gas prices highest in Texas; gas prices near me