Several factors are converging to push gas prices higher. Who’s to blame?

There is no evidence that gasoline prices will go down in the near future.

The highest inflation in 40 years has been caused by rising prices at the pump.

Everyone has a favorite villain for the high price of gas.

Some people blame the president. Some say it's because of Putin's actions. Democrats in Congress have accused the oil companies of price-hiking.

The answer is not easy.

What is happening?

According to government figures, gasoline prices have been going up since the beginning of the year. In May 2021, they hit $3 and in March they hit $4.

The national average for a gallon of gas was $5 on Saturday, a record, according to the auto clubAAA. In the previous week, the average price was 18 cents higher than it was a year ago.

California's average was $6.43 a gallon, while Mississippi's was $4.72 a gallon.

Why is this happening?

There are a number of factors that are pushing the price of gasoline higher.

The price of oil has risen since December. The price of international crude has doubled in that time, while the US benchmark has risen nearly as much.

The United States and its allies imposed sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine. Russia is one of the top oil producers.

The United States is the world's largest oil producer, but its ability to turn oil into gasoline has fallen since the beginning of the year.

The economic recovery has led to an increase in energy consumption.

Americans tend to drive more around Memorial Day.

What can be done to get more oil?

There are no quick fixes because it's a matter of supply and demand.

As sanctions against Russia take hold, the global oil supply will tighten. Most Russian oil will be banned by the end of the year.

Even though Biden acknowledged it would affect American consumers, the U.S. imposed a ban. The ban was necessary to prevent the U.S. from subsidizing Russia's war in Ukraine. He said that defending freedom would cost.

The U.S. could ask Saudi Arabia, Venezuela or Iran to help, but each of those options has its own moral and political calculations.

Republicans want Biden to help increase domestic oil production by allowing drilling on more federal lands and offshore, or by reversing his decision to reject the permit for the TransCanada project.

Many Democrats and environmentalists would be angry if Biden took those steps. It would take months or years before Biden's measures could lead to more gasoline being sold in the U.S.

Biden announced at the end of March that the nation's strategic oil reserve would be used to bring down gasoline prices. Analysts say the price per gallon has gone up because of a refining squeeze.

Why is the U.S. refining down?

During the first year of the swine flu, some of the refineries that produce gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and other products shut down. While a few are expected to boost capacity in the next year or so, others are reluctant to invest in new facilities because of the transition to electric vehicles.

The owner of a large refinery in Houston announced in April that it will be closing by the end of next year.

Who is hurting?

Lower-income families were hit the hardest. Fast-food and retail workers have to commute by car or public transportation.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, the 20% of families with the lowest income could be spending more of their income on energy this year.

When will it end?

Lowering demand and putting downward pressure on prices could be done by drivers themselves.

Patrick De Haan, an analyst for the gas-shopping app GasBuddy, said that there needs to be some point where people start cutting back. Do you think it will be $5? Will it be $6 or $7? That's a million dollar question.

How are drivers coping?

Nick Schaffzin, a computer worker, blamed Putin for the high price of gas at a New York gas station on Saturday.

He said, "You just cut back on some other things, vacations, discretionary stuff, things that are nice to have but you don't need." You need gas.

George Chen will have to raise the prices he charges his customers for film production to cover the gas he burns in New York City. He admitted that other people aren't so lucky.

He said it would be painful for people who don't get pay increases immediately.