The national average for a gallon of gas has recently eclipsed $5 for the first time in history, as Americans are now paying more to fill up their tanks than ever before.
While prices are high across the country, some states are feeling it in their wallets a bit more than others. But where are Americans hurting the most?
According to AAA, the top five states with the highest gas prices are Illinois at number five with the price of $5.551, followed by Washington at $5.555, Alaska at $5.59, Nevada at $5.67, and California at $6.43.
California has made headlines as the only state to eclipse the $6 mark, but the size of the state and number of stations probably skew their ranking -- note that one station in the northern part of the state priced their fuel at $10, while another mistakenly priced theirs at 69 cents.
When it comes to the states with the cheapest average, North Carolina is the tenth cheapest at $4.67, followed by Kansas at $4.67, Oklahoma at $4.66, Tennessee at $4.64, Alabama at $4.63, South Carolina is at $4.60, Louisiana is at $4.55, Arkansas is at $4.54, Mississippi is at $4.52, and Georgia, the cheapest state to buy gas, at $4.49 per gallon.
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No matter the prices, Americans are continuing to struggle at the pump. In an effort to help, President Joe Biden has sent a letter to seven U.S. oil companies calling for them to boost production and take "immediate action," CNN reported.
In his letter, he called out oil companies for raising prices and hurting American families while the war in Ukraine, one major factor for higher gas prices, rages on.
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"At a time of war, refinery profit margins well above normal being passed directly onto American families are not acceptable," the President wrote. "There is no question that Vladimir Putin is principally responsible for the intense financial pain the American people and their families are bearing. But amid a war that has raised gasoline prices more than $1.70 per gallon, historically high refinery profit margins are worsening that pain."
But oil production is returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to Patrick De Haan from Gas Buddy, who shared that domestically 12 million barrels are being produced daily.
Still, the President has continued to call out those in the gas industry, taking aim at oil company Exxon specifically during a press conference earlier this week.
"We're going to make sure everyone knows Exxon's profits," Biden insisted. "Exxon made more money than God last year. Why aren't they drilling? Because they make more money not producing more oil."
To see the complete list of where your state ranks in average cost per gallon, visit AAA's gas tool here.
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