$9 per gallon? California gas station going viral as prices rise
$9 per gallon? California gas station going viral as prices rise
Kate Perez, USA TODAYThu, March 26, 2026 at 10:03 PM UTC
96
A California gas station has gained attention for charging nearly $9 a gallon, a price particularly high amid the ongoing Iran-U.S. war, which has caused a bump at the pumps.
Photos of one gas station in Los Angeles’ Chinatown on March 20 show regular unleaded gas priced at around $8.71 per gallon, with plus, supreme and diesel costing even more.
Pedestrians walk past gas prices starting at $8.71 per gallon at a Chevron gas station on Alameda Ave near Union Station in Los Angeles, California on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
Gas prices are lower in other parts of the state; however, they remain high compared with the rest of the country. The average cost of gas in California is close to $6 a gallon at $5.84 as of March 26, according to AAA, higher than the national average of $3.98 a gallon.
Gas stations across the United States have seen climbing costs as the country remains at war with Iran.
1 / 0See how the Iran war’s fallout is hitting the Middle East
See how Middle Eastern countries are caught in the crossfire of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.Bahrain Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026.
More gas news: Here's what to know about E15 gas as Trump moves to lower pump prices
Gas prices soar amid Iran-US war
The Iran-U.S. war has put pressure on gas stations since attacks launched in late February. Consumers have seen prices jump by a $1 at the pump over the month, while the United States, Israel and Iran entered a new phase in the ongoing war, in which oil and gas have become key targets for both sides.
Advertisement
Much of the pressure comes from Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a 100-mile waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, which carries 20% of the world’s oil shipments and about 20% of the world’s seaborne liquified natural gas.
Live updates: Trump says Iran gifted 'big boats of oil' amid US talks.
That pressure might soon alleviate slightly, however, as negotiations continue between Iran and the United States.
As USA TODAY previously reported, President Donald Trump said March 26 that Iranian officials allowed 10 "big boats of oil" through the Strait of Hormuz as a show of good faith during backchannel negotiations with the United States.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gas station charging nearly $9 per gallon as prices skyrocket in US
Source: “AOL Money”
