NJ Gas Prices Skyrocket Past National Average Amid Escalating Iran Conflict

New Jersey's average gas price has surpassed the national average for the first time in recent memory. According to AAA, the state's average price for regular gasoline hit $4.3182 a gallon on September 9, with prices rising by 27 cents in just one month.

This trend is largely driven by the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles about a fifth of the world's oil supply. As a result, Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped to nearly $97 a barrel in response.

The impact is being felt at the pump, with New Jersey drivers now paying more than their counterparts nationwide. For a typical 40-mile-a-day commuter driving a 25-mpg vehicle, this translates to roughly $148 a month just for the daily commute, before adding any weekend trips or errands.

A recent forecast suggested gas prices would climb again, and unfortunately, that prediction has come true. With the Iran conflict showing no clear signs of resolving, it's uncertain when or if prices will level off.