Gas prices are fluctuating to a high we haven’t seen since 2022, and with new drivers who aren’t used to these prices we’ve seen changes in everyday life for these students.
Max Lezzi (10) has been a student to be affected by the rise in gas prices. Lezzi drives a Ram 1500 that takes diesel fuel, diesel fuel is currently at an average price of $5.28 a gallon.
“The prices have really made me upset as it’s getting harder to afford, plus with me playing lacrosse there hasn’t been much time to work,” Lezzi said. Lezzi also spoke about how he’s been driving his parents cars to try and avoid adding up on the gas bill. “It’s a sorta wake up call to get used to high prices,” Lezzi said.
We’ve seen a major increase in gas prices across the United States, with a national average of $4.52 as of May 11. The gas prices were brought about by the conflict in the Middle East started by the US and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, which holds around 25% of the planet’s oil, is a set commodity that most countries get their oil from this section of the Middle East. But with the ongoing conflict, we’ve seen a blockade set on the Strait of Hormuz limiting the exportation of oil which then would lead to a shortage around the world, plus a shortage would show an increase in prices globally especially here in Missouri and the whole US. The prices have increased since March, we’ve seen ongoing conflict actively under a ceasefire. But while the US still has the blockade around the Strait we still have seen prices increase.
We also see gas prices affecting older demographics around school. Carson Brassel (12) drives a diesel Ford pickup truck, he states how he’s spending double the amount on gas to fill to full.
“I do a lot of landscaping jobs for people, with the increase in diesel my tank is almost $200 now,” Brassel said. Brassel has also taken action to avoid paying the high prices by taking the bus to Lewis and Clark instead of driving each and every day. The higher prices will have a long term effect on prices in general.
“The higher prices are forcing me to make my prices higher due to spending money on getting around for the job,” Brassel said.
The money spent on gas will be a long term cascading effect as if prices start to level back out, we will still see large increases in prices for particle goods like landscaping work that diesel fuel is necessary.
With the growing prices of gas currently active across the US, some predict the prices will grow even higher past $4.50 as we reach nearer to the end of 2026. Also with the known study that gas prices increase in the summer years to capitalize off of summer vacations and trips. With the mix of the already increased prices from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we might need to get prepared for an expensive rest of 2026.
