Overview
- The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $4.0030 on Monday, July 20, according to AAA data reported across multiple outlets.
- Renewed attacks between the United States and Iran and a U.S. naval blockade have again curtailed vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, sharply reducing seaborne oil flows.
- Global crude benchmarks climbed with Brent briefly above $90 per barrel and U.S. crude in the low $80s, pushing refinery feedstock costs higher at U.S. pumps.
- U.S. gasoline stocks stood at about 210.5 million barrels, roughly 1.5 million barrels below the five‑year seasonal average, while diesel averaged near $5.10–$5.11 per gallon and is adding transport cost pressure.
- Tighter refining capacity after recent attacks on Russian facilities, depleted emergency releases and peak summer demand leave markets fragile, so diplomats’ moves to reopen Hormuz or further escalation are the key near‑term risks to prices.