Fuel prices have risen sharply over the past week as the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran continues to escalate, pushing oil prices higher and creating uncertainty for travelers heading into the spring and summer driving season. Will gas and diesel prices impact RV travel this season?

According to the latest national averages, a gallon of regular gasoline now costs $3.47 in the United States, up 48 cents from just a week ago and 57 cents higher than a month ago.

While that’s approaching the highest prices seen last year, the increase is happening right as the typical seasonal rise in fuel prices begins.

Spring Fuel Price Increases Are Already Underway

Every spring, refineries switch from winter gasoline to the more expensive summer blend, which is designed to reduce smog during warmer temperatures. That transition usually causes fuel prices to rise about 15 cents per gallon between March and April as refineries ramp up production.

At the same time, gasoline demand begins climbing as Americans prepare for spring and summer road trips, which can add another 15 to 30 cents per gallon to average prices nationwide.

In other words, even without global tensions affecting oil markets, fuel prices would likely be rising right now.

Diesel Prices Are Jumping Even Faster

The biggest impact is currently being seen at the diesel pump.

The national average price for diesel is now $4.65 per gallon, up more than $1 over the past month.

That’s especially important for RV travelers, since many diesel motorhomes and heavy-duty tow vehicles rely on diesel fuel, making travel costs significantly higher when diesel prices spike.

Oil Prices Spiked After Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

Fuel prices tend to lag behind crude oil prices, meaning changes in the price of oil often show up at the pump several days to a week later.

Crude oil experienced a dramatic surge over the past few days.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude jumped from around $70 per barrel last week to over $120 per barrel on Sunday, before dropping back down to roughly $95 per barrel by midday Monday.

The volatility is largely tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.

Iran has reportedly targeted ships attempting to cross the strait, effectively closing one of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and tankers are currently waiting on both sides of the passage.

What the U.S. Is Considering to Stabilize Fuel Prices

The White House has several options to try to stabilize fuel prices if the conflict continues.

Potential measures include:

  • Allowing Russian oil sales to resume to India, easing global supply pressure
  • U.S. naval escorts for tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz
  • Releasing additional oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Each of these steps could help stabilize oil markets if supply disruptions worsen.

What RV Travelers Should Expect

For now, fuel prices are approaching—but not yet exceeding—recent highs.

If you’re planning RV travel this spring or summer, it may also be a good time to revisit some simple strategies for reducing fuel consumption on the road. We recently put together a guide to fuel-saving tips for RV travel that can help offset rising prices.

However, if the conflict continues or expands, prices could climb significantly higher. RV travelers may remember the spike in 2022 when gas prices topped $5 per gallon nationally following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent embargo on Russian oil.

It’s still too early to know whether fuel prices will reach those levels again, but travelers planning spring and summer RV trips may want to budget for higher fuel costs in the months ahead.

At this point, prices haven’t yet shifted travel behavior significantly—but that could change if oil markets remain unstable.