Olivia Russo
Editor-in-Chief
University of La Verne students are feeling the crunch of paying about $20 extra to refill their gas tanks.
Most commuter students are spending more on gas than they ever had before.
“I think I paid almost $80 to fill my tank and it wasn’t even close to empty,” Valleria Estrella, sophomore psychology major, said. “At least I’m building my credit score. That’s the only plus.”
California is currently the state with the highest gas prices across the country.
Prices have slowly declined in the past few weeks. But according to Kandance Redd, spokeswoman for the American Automobile Association in Los Angeles, the prices have dropped by just 5 cents in the last month.
This slight decline comes after President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire in the Iran war, which he started in February.
The conflict is what sent gas prices surging in the first place, with Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz disrupting the global trade.
Jason Niedleman, professor of political science, compared Trump’s plan in Iran to what he had expected from Venezuela earlier this year.
Trump thought killing Iran’s leader would result in a swift regime change that would favor American interests.
“So when that didn’t work, he didn’t really have anywhere to go,” Niedleman said. “That explains why the U.S. wanted this ceasefire because it was costing us a lot and we weren’t gaining anything. We never were really going to gain anything.”
Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is still closed and until it is opened, people can expect the gas prices to stay inflated.
“It’s a global commodity,” Niedleman said. “If the price of gas goes up in one part of the world, it goes up everywhere in the world.”
Eighty percent of the gas that comes through the strait goes to Asia, so even though the United States does not rely on Iran for their export of gas, the prices will still climb because it is needed by the entire world.
Now, according to Redd, the national average price for gas is $4.1. The average has not been more than $4 since August of 2022. California’s average is currently $5.88, so drivers are paying $1.77 more per gallon than the national average.
Today’s price is just shy of $1 more than drivers were paying at this time last year, Redd said
“We know that gas prices are slightly decreasing,” Redd said. “That’s because oil prices dropped after the announcement of the ceasefire, which did help ease some of the pressure in the market. But gas prices typically follow crude oil costs, and it is really the biggest factor in what we pay at the pump.”
Redd explained that for every $1 drop in crude oil prices, there is usually about a two cent decrease in gas prices.
Gas prices also increase in California in the spring and summer months, because people are outside and traveling. Additionally, there is a seasonal shift, when the state goes from a winter blend to a summer blend that can meet the different environmental needs of the hot weather.
There is not a clear answer as to when the prices will start to go back down to the prices that drivers are used to paying.
“It really just depends on how long this conflict in Iran continues,” Redd said. “And you have to keep in mind about the seasonal factors as well. Here in California, drivers end up paying the most for gas compared to any other state.”
According to the Lundeberg Survey, an independent market research company that offers coverage on gas prices, even if these oil prices decrease, it is likely that the gas prices will remain relatively high. The wholesale gasoline prices have cut retailers by 20 cents a gallon, so these places will be forced to spike their prices if they want to stay open.
For those looking to cut costs on their gas, Redd has some suggestions including looking into discounts for gas, because often places like grocery stories will offer discount programs. She also advises to keep track of the regular services and fixing issues when they arise.
“Remember that bad driving is not just unsafe, it is expensive,” Redd said. “That means really just drive smarter…just do your best to plan ahead, especially if you are looking into doing a road trip.”
Olivia Russo can be reached at olivia.russo@laverne.edu.
Olivia Russo is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism and a minor in criminology. She is the Editor-in-Chief for the Campus Times for Spring 2026. She has previously served as the News Editor, LV Life Editor, a photographer and a staff writer for the Campus Times, as well as a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine.
Bajot Rathor is a senior organizational management major with a concentration in leadership and management, along with minors in photography and American law. She is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
