AI Generated Image
We drove across the country twice, and kept the receipts. Here’s what it cost.
MS NOW • • business
Key Points:
- Residents in rural areas like San Jon, New Mexico, are facing significantly higher gas costs, with some seeing monthly increases of around $100 due to the necessity of long drives.
- Gas prices vary widely across states, with Arizona seeing prices around $4.55 per gallon and California exceeding $6 per gallon, marking a notable increase from 2023.
- Diesel prices are even higher, with some truck drivers in California paying over $7 per gallon, leading to fuel bills of approximately $150 for a single fill-up.
- A recent 14-day, nearly 5,000-mile cross-country trip cost $642.38 in gas, substantially more than the previous year despite driving fewer miles, highlighting the impact of rising fuel prices.
- Historical context shows that had the trip occurred before geopolitical events in early 2026, the fuel cost would have been about $227 less, underscoring the influence of global conflicts on oil prices.
