Gas Spotted for $8 a Gallon

A gas expert shared an experience on social media that had some Americans grateful for U.S. gas prices for a change.

Many American drivers have experienced the headache that comes with higher gas prices as inflation grips the nation and the price for a barrel of crude oil continues to climb. Gas prices have been on a slow downward trend in the U.S., but they could rise again soon as oil prices increase because of the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

As of Tuesday, the national average for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. is $3.58, according to data from the American Automobile Association. Prices have trended down and are 30 cents lower per gallon than this time last year. The most expensive gas is in California, where the average gallon will set someone back $5.58. Texas and Georgia are tied as the states with the cheapest gas. The average gallon of gasoline in those states costs $3.05.

Most Americans are paying more than 50 percent less per gallon than Italians, according to a photo shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy Patrick De Haan.

"At least you aren't paying $8/gal! Last day in Italy, side of the road gas station in Rome selling diesel for $7.88/gal or gasoline for $7.86/gal," De Haan posted with a picture of a gas pump.

Italy prices its gas in euros by the liter. One gallon of gas consists of 3.79 liters. De Haan told Newsweek that prices for gasoline are much higher in Italy because of high gasoline taxes in Europe.

Italy's gas prices are trending downward after spiking from July through September. In July, a liter of gasoline cost 1.85 euros. The price rose over the next few months until it peaked at 2 euros per liter, or $7.98 per gallon.

In some instances, gas stations have sold a gallon of gas in the U.S. for more than $7 as well. In September, Californians were complaining that gas prices at a Mobil gas station in Los Angeles was reportedly $7.39, much higher than the national average.

California is known for having higher gas prices than other states, as fossil fuels are taxed heavily to cut carbon emissions.

Other factors also can influence gas prices, such as hurricanes. One gas station near Orlando, Florida, charged $7.99 per gallon ahead of Hurricane Idalia hitting the state in late August.

AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz told Newsweek on August 22 that "gas stations set their own prices, so it's not uncommon to see some stations well above the state average...Depends where they're located—sometimes you see stations with higher prices near airports, for example."