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Gas Prices Cross $4 in April 2026 — What's Next and Where It's Still Cheap

April 3, 2026
4 min read

Gas Prices Cross $4 in April 2026 — What's Next and Where It's Still Cheap

The national average just crossed $4.08 per gallon — the first time regular unleaded has topped $4 since August 2022. That's a full dollar more than drivers were paying two months ago. California is averaging $5.89. And unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, it's going to get worse before it gets better.

The Hormuz Standstill Is Getting Worse

Two weeks ago, tanker traffic through the Strait was down to a trickle. Now it's effectively at a standstill. The world has lost an estimated 4.5 to 5 million barrels per day of oil supply — roughly 5% of global production. That number is projected to double by mid-April as stored reserves draw down and refineries scramble for alternative supply routes.

West Texas Intermediate crude is trading around $102 per barrel. Brent crude sits near $112. Saudi officials have warned that if the disruption lasts through late April, oil could spike to $180 per barrel. Some Wall Street analysts are modeling $200. At $180 crude, the national gas average would likely hit $5.50 to $6.00 per gallon — territory the US has never seen outside California.

For background on how the crisis started and why the Strait matters, see our March explainer.

Where Gas Is Still Under $3.50

The same pattern from March holds: states with domestic pipeline access and proximity to Gulf Coast refineries are absorbing the shock better than everyone else. But even these markets are creeping up.

The 10 cheapest states as of early April:

The States Getting Hit Hardest

California and the West Coast are in a different universe. CARB blend requirements, state taxes totaling 68¢ per gallon, and limited pipeline access from the Gulf make these markets structurally expensive — and the global supply crunch amplifies every cent.

  • California — $5.89/gal. Some LA stations have crossed $8.
  • Washington — $5.12/gal. Clean fuel standard adds to the base.
  • Nevada — $4.72/gal. Desert isolation, California supply chain dependence.
  • Oregon — $4.58/gal. No self-serve law, limited refining.
  • Illinois — $4.45/gal. Chicago's 53¢/gal tax stack hits hard.

What Happens Next

Everything hinges on the Strait of Hormuz. Three scenarios:

Best case: Diplomatic progress reopens tanker traffic by late April. Crude drops to $85-90 within weeks, and pump prices fall back toward $3.50 by summer. This requires a ceasefire or naval escort agreement.

Middle case: Partial reopening with reduced throughput. Crude stabilizes at $100-120. National average settles around $4.25-4.50 for the summer. This is what most analysts currently expect.

Worst case: Sustained closure through summer. Crude hits $180+. National average reaches $5.50-6.00. Demand destruction kicks in — people start driving less, which eventually brings prices down, but painfully.

How to Protect Your Wallet Right Now

The spread between the cheapest and most expensive stations in any ZIP code is wider than usual — often 40-60¢ per gallon during a spike. That's $6-9 per fill-up you're leaving on the table if you don't compare.

  • Search your ZIP on Gas Price Check to see real-time station prices sorted by cost
  • Fill up at warehouse clubs — Costco and Sam's Club are running 20-30¢ below street price
  • Avoid Friday fill-ups — prices spike Thursday-Saturday for weekend demand
  • Keep tires properly inflated — a tire pressure gauge pays for itself in one fill-up at these prices
  • Stock up when you find a dip — a 5-gallon gas can stored safely in the garage means you're not forced to buy at the peak

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→ Search gas prices in your ZIP code

→ Read our March 2026 explainer

→ Texas gas prices overview

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