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U.S. Consumers Spent $41.7 Billion Extra on Fuel Since Iran Conflict Began

Americans have paid an estimated $41.7 billion more for gasoline and diesel since late February. National average prices rose more than 51 percent for gasoline and nearly 54 percent for diesel.

Benzinga
1 source·May 18, 9:39 AM(11 days ago)·1m read
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U.S. Consumers Spent $41.7 Billion Extra on Fuel Since Iran Conflict Begandigiday.com
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U.S. consumers have spent roughly $41.7 billion in additional gasoline and diesel costs since the Iran conflict began in late February, according to estimates from Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs. The university's Iran War Energy Cost Tracker, which uses AAA fuel-price data, showed national average gasoline prices climbed from $2.98 per gallon at the start of the conflict to $4.51.

Diesel prices rose to $5.64 per gallon.

The increase amounts to about $318 per household.

Brown University political-science professor Jeff Colgan said the spending could have gone toward transportation infrastructure instead.

Rising oil prices are continuing to affect the broader U.S. economy and contributing to higher inflation, the estimates indicate.

Key Facts

$41.7 billion
extra gasoline and diesel costs since late February
$318 per household
average additional fuel spending
51 percent
rise in national average gasoline price

Story Timeline

2 events
  1. Late February

    Iran conflict began and fuel prices started rising.

    1 sourceBenzinga
  2. Sunday night

    Cumulative extra fuel costs reached $41.7 billion.

    1 sourceBenzinga

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Higher fuel prices may contribute to increased transportation and goods costs.

  2. 02

    Households face reduced disposable income for other spending.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count122 words
PublishedMay 18, 2026, 9:39 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Amplifying 1

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