Gas prices jumped back above $3.50 a gallon on average Monday in Austin and San Antonio as the U.S. and Iran launched more attacks.
Drivers in Austin are paying an average of $3.53, up 11 cents from a week ago and 75 cents from the $2.78 that was the average a year ago. In San Antonio, drivers are paying a bit more, $3.56 on average for a gallon of regular gasoline. A week ago, they were paying less than Austin drivers, $3.41; a year ago, they were paying an average of $2.75.
Across the state, drivers are paying an average of $3.57, up from $2.76 a year ago. Nationally, drivers are paying 86 cents more on average than they were a year ago, when the average price was $3.14 a gallon.
With the national average at $4, that means drivers in some states have been paying well over $4 a gallon for a while now, while others pay less. Prices vary between states due to factors ranging from nearby supply to differing tax rates.
Affordability is likely to be a key issue for voters in the U.S. midterm elections, and higher gas and oil prices can help push up prices for groceries and other goods.
California had the highest average price for a gallon of regular gasoline Monday: $5.50, nearly $2 more than what Texans are paying. Indiana had the lowest average: $3.35. Mississippi is the only other state with an average cheaper than Texas — by a tenth of a penny.
People around the world also are dealing with high gas prices as a result of the war.
Brent crude, the international standard, fell slightly by Monday morning trading in the U.S. — down $1.64 to $86.46 per barrel. But that’s still much higher than prewar levels, when crude was going for close to $70 a barrel. Meanwhile, benchmark U.S. crude dropped $1.87 to $79.91 per barrel.