Cape May, N.J. - The average cost per gallon of gas in South Jersey has risen 65 cents in just under a month since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East.


Experts in the gasoline industry told The South Jersey Press that the spike in crude could soon push the average price of gasoline above $4.00 per gallon, with the potential for further increases if the conflict continues. In January, the statewide average per gallon was $2.72, roughly 30% cheaper than today.

Throughout South Jersey, the average cost per gallon currently sits between $3.50 - $3.75 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.


Last week, 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. Over the past week, the price of Crude held steady between $90 and $95 USD, with no signs of dropping back in the immediate future.