Rising gas prices due to the Iran war are making commutes a little rougher for Americans.
The national average for regular gasoline is now over $4 a gallon as the war disrupts oil supplies. That's an increase of more than $1 per gallon since Feb. 28, the largest monthly jump on record. A consumer index that measures surprise about gas prices hit 29.3 in March, its highest level since April 2024.
In just the past month, Americans spent nearly $8 billion more on gasoline. The average daily cost of commuting has risen 11% over the last several weeks, to $17.17, including maintenance and parking costs. If gas reaches $5 a gallon, the average daily cost will rise to $18.75, or $2,719 per year.
About 7 in 10 Americans commute to work by car, and the average commuter spends around 63 hours a year in traffic. Transportation is the second-largest household expense for Americans after housing, representing about 17% of household spending.
High gas prices are also increasing prices elsewhere, as travel, freight and shipping costs rise. Consumer sentiment hit a three-month low in March because of economic concerns.
The slideshow above highlights some of the best cities for commuting in the United States, according to MoneyGeek.
Credit: Ifti Digital/Adobe Stock
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