Gas prices approach highest level this year weeks before midterms

U.S. gas prices approached their highest level of the year Friday, after the national average rose another 3 cents overnight. The nationwide average price is $4.46 per gallon. Friday’s price sits just 10 cents below the highest level hit earlier this year, on May 21, when the national average was $4.56 per gallon. Gas prices are also once again within striking distance of their all-time highest level of $5.01, which was hit in June 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine. Already, at least six states have average gas prices above $5. California has the highest in the nation, at $6.11 per gallon. A handful of other states, such as Michigan, Utah and Illinois, were on the cusp of hitting $5 Friday. Gas prices overall have risen 50% nationwide since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.