Cape May, N.J. - The average cost per gallon of gas in South Jersey has risen over $1.00 since the beginning of the conflict in Iran in late February, rising to nearly $4.20 per gallon in parts of the state.


New Jersey’s statewide average gas price was $2.91 per gallon March 3, 2026. Just one month later, that average has surged to $4.06, according to AAA. The sudden spike is prompting some South Jersey residents to reconsider discretionary spending, including dining out and taking weekend trips to the shore as temperatures begin to rise.

Throughout South Jersey, the average cost per gallon currently sits between $4.00 - $4.20 depending on which county you’re in. Counties like Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem are on the lower end while Atlantic, Ocean, and Cape May counties are near the higher end.


One of the reasons for the spike is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles over 20% of global oil trade. Due to the conflict, vessels have been unable to safely transport oil. Exporters including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAW, Kuwait, and others transported millions of barrels daily before the conflict.


U.S. President Donald Trump announced a plan to release 172 million barrels from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to steady markets, but the process will take roughly four months to complete.