Here’s How Much More VA Drivers Have Paid For Gas Since Iran War Began

Virginia drivers have collectively spent an estimated $1.8 billion more for gasoline since the war with Iran began Feb. 28, according to an analysis released by Democrats on Congress' Joint Economic Committee.

That works out to about $573 in additional gasoline spending for the average Virginia household, the committee estimated.

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Nationwide, Americans paid about $56.4 billion more for gasoline from Feb. 28 through July 12 than they would have if prices had remained at their prewar levels. The added cost averaged $477 per household, according to the analysis.

The committee's Democratic staff attributed the increase to disruptions and uncertainty caused by the war.

The national average price for regular gasoline was $3.87 a gallon when the report was released July 13, about 30 percent higher than before the war began, the committee said, citing AAA.

As of July 30, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Virginia was $3.94, lower than the national average of $4.09.

The estimated increase varied widely by state. Households in Alabama paid the largest added amount, averaging $686, followed by Utah at $650, Mississippi at $639 and Wyoming at $624.

The smallest estimated household increases were in the District of Columbia ($215), Washington ($342), Oregon ($346), Hawaii ($356), and Rhode Island ($368).

Texas recorded the largest statewide increase in gasoline spending, at about $5.74 billion, followed by California at $5.45 billion and Florida at $3.89 billion.

The committee calculated its estimates using daily state gasoline prices from AAA through July 12, state gasoline-consumption data from the Federal Highway Administration and national demand figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.