AAA: Pump Prices Soar Toward $4 as Middle East Conflict Sends Crude Oil Near $100/Barrel

March 19, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

Gas prices continue to rise amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, pushing crude oil prices close to $100 per barrel. Because crude oil makes up about 50 to 60 percent of the cost of a gallon of gas, global tensions—along with disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply—are putting upward pressure on prices, despite stable U.S. fuel supplies. The Delaware gas price average is $3.75 today, up 23 cents in the last week and 89 cents higher than one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.80 today, up 30 cents in the last week and up 90 cents compared to one year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remains unchanged at 41 cents and in Delaware holds steady at 36 cents.

 

Additional Information from AAA:

Gas prices continue to soar in response to conflict in the Middle East sends crude oil prices trading near the $100 per barrel mark. This is relevant because 50% to 60% of a gallon of gasoline is made up of crude oil. Despite stable U.S. fuel supplies and ongoing refinery operations, escalating conflict in the Middle East and the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil are exerting significant upward pressure on both crude and gasoline prices.

 

In Pennsylvania, the gas average is $3.82 today, up 16 cents in the last week and up 60 cents from one year ago. The Philadelphia 5-county gas price average is $3.92 per gallon, up 30 cents from last week and up 80 cents from one year ago. The South Jersey gas price average is $3.80 today, up 30 cents in the last week and up 90 cents compared to one year ago. The Delaware gas price average is $3.75 today, up 23 cents in the last week and 89 cents higher than one year ago.

 

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remains unchanged at 41 cents.

 

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

 

03/19/26

Week Ago

Year Ago

National

$3.88

$3.59

$3.10

Pennsylvania

$3.82

$3.66

$3.22

Philadelphia

(5-county)

$3.92

$3.62

$3.12

South Jersey

$3.80

$3.50

$2.90

Delaware

$3.75

$3.38

$2.86

Crude Oil

$96.32 per barrel

(03/18/26)

$87.25 per barrel

(03/11/26)

$67.40 per barrel (03/19/25)

 

CURRENT EV COST AVERAGES

Per kWh of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station

 

03/19/26

Week Ago

National

$0.41

$0.41

Pennsylvania

$0.42

$0.43

Delaware

$0.36

$0.36

 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.24 million barrels per day to 8.72 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 249.5 million barrels to 244.0 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.

 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 11 cents to settle at $96.32 a barrel. The price of crude oil has jumped more than 43% since the war in Iran began on Feb. 28. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 6.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 449.3 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 1% below the five-year average for this time of year.

 

The Weekend

“Rising crude oil prices are driving gasoline costs higher, with oil continuing to trade near the $100-per-barrel mark,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “As a result, drivers are likely to face further price increases in the days and weeks ahead. How high prices ultimately climb will depend on the duration of the conflict and whether additional disruptions to global fuel supplies emerge.”

 

AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

 

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