Gas prices in the United States have reached a new high for 2023, with the national average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline hitting $3.87 on September 19, 2023. This is the highest price since October 2022, and it is significantly higher than the average price of $3.41 per gallon at the start of the year.
There are a number of factors contributing to the high gas prices, including:
- Strong demand: Demand for gasoline has been increasing in recent months as the economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. People are traveling more and driving more, which is putting upward pressure on prices.
- Limited supply: The supply of gasoline has been limited by a number of factors, including refinery outages and sanctions on Russia. This has made it more difficult for oil companies to meet the increased demand, which has also contributed to higher prices.
- Geopolitical tensions: The ongoing war in Ukraine and other geopolitical tensions have also contributed to higher oil prices. This is because investors are concerned about the potential for disruptions to the global oil supply.
The high gas prices are having a significant impact on American consumers. Many people are struggling to afford to fill up their tanks, and this is putting a strain on their budgets. The high prices are also contributing to inflation, which is already at a 40-year high.
The Biden administration has taken a number of steps to try to address the high gas prices, including releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. However, these measures have had limited success.
Analysts are divided on when gas prices will start to come down. Some believe that prices could peak in the coming weeks, while others believe that they could remain high for the rest of the year.