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The average price of regular gasoline in the United States reached $4.135 per gallon this Saturday, the highest level since August 2022, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), which is forcing millions of drivers to look for ways to reduce their fuel expenses.
The increase represents a rise of 37% since the beginning of the military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, when the price was $2.98 per gallon.
In Florida, the average reached $4.19 per gallon, exceeding the national average, while in Miami, regular gasoline was sold for $4.15, and a Shell station in Miami Beach surpassed $5.39.
The Joint Economic Committee of Congress estimated that American households spent an additional $8.4 billion on gasoline between February 28 and March 31, with an extra cost of $740 per household so far in 2026.
Although it is not possible to control prices at the pump, there are concrete strategies to reduce spending.
The first step is to compare prices before refueling using apps like GasBuddy, which has over sixty million users and can generate savings of up to $0.33 per gallon with activated deal alerts.
The best rates are often found at gas stations located off the highway or at warehouse clubs like Costco.
Consumer Reports recommends looking for the "Top Tier" label at the pump, found at stations like Chevron, Exxon, and Mobil, which indicates higher quality fuel.
One of the simplest ways to save is by not purchasing premium gasoline if the vehicle does not require it, as it does not improve performance in cars that do not need it.
Maintaining tires with the correct pressure is equally important: driving on underinflated tires harms fuel efficiency, shortens their lifespan, and can compromise safety.
Each 50 pounds of extra weight in the vehicle increases fuel consumption by 1 to 2%, according to AAA, so removing roof racks and cargo boxes when not in use also helps with savings.
Driving smoothly is another of the most effective recommendations to make the most of each tank, with gradual starts and gentle stops.
Luz Plasencia, spokesperson for Consumer Reports, also warns about the "Eco Mode": "We found no benefits in fuel savings when using Eco Mode, whether driving in urban areas or on the highway. Its true purpose is to encourage drivers to drive more carefully."
Plasencia also suggests keeping at least a half tank during periods of supply shortages: "For both convenience and safety, keep at least half a tank of fuel when there is a risk of shortages, such as when a major storm is imminent. This also applies to road trips during holidays, times when roads may be congested and traffic is slow."
The gasoline rose by 21.2% in March, becoming one of the main drivers of overall inflation at 3.3% year-on-year, the highest level in two years.
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