California gas prices have sharply increased since Operation Epic Fury began, with some drivers seeing jumps of over 50 cents per gallon compared to last week.
The Golden State’s gas prices have consistently run well above the national average, thanks to additional taxes imposed by Democratic lawmakers. American Automobile Association (AAA) data now shows California’s average for regular gas hitting $5.20, up from $4.65 last week. In February, the state average was $4.47, while the national average sat at just $2.90.
“How am I gonna get the money to put more gas in my tank?” Carmichael driver Leyth Ames told ABC10.
Ames explained to the outlet that he had planned a spring break trip with his family but had to cancel because of the higher fuel prices.
“Here in California, the price of a gallon of regular gasoline has gone up about 51 cents in the past week, and nationally, it’s gone up about 47 cents,” Northern California AAA spokesperson Doug Johnson told ABC10. “Really, what’s going on is supply and demand. This conflict in Iran is affecting the supply.”
National gas prices have spiked since the U.S. military launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran. The national average has climbed to $3.47, but California drivers are bearing far heavier costs.
During a March 2 press conference, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed President Donald Trump for the rising prices.
“Oil prices are up. Gas prices are going up. Every $10 increase in a barrel is roughly 24 cents per gallon that you’ll be paying more because of Trump’s war,” Newsom said.
Newsom has faced heavy pushback online for trying to pin the state’s gas prices on Trump, as warnings about soaring costs have circulated for years amid the shutdown of major California refineries.
During an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump told the outlet that he was not concerned with the rising prices, noting he believes the costs will “drop very rapidly” when the conflict with Iran ends.
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