Gas prices climb ahead of Labor Day weekend

(CNN)- Americans hitting the road for Labor Day weekend are facing higher prices at the pump as international conflicts continue to drive up the cost of oil and fuel.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said this year’s holiday is shaping up to be the most expensive Labor Day for drivers.

“The most expensive Labor Day that we’re going to see is this year,” De Haan said. “So a lot of Americans hitting the roads and seeing rising prices.”

De Haan said oil prices have risen sharply this week amid renewed escalation between the United States and Iran. Continued Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia have also contributed to higher gasoline and diesel prices.

Vice President JD Vance did not provide a timeline for when U.S. gasoline prices could fall back to at least $3 per gallon.

“The reason gas prices are so high right now is because the Iranians are shooting at commercial shipping,” Vance said.

Jeff Colgan, director of the Climate Solutions Lab at Brown University, said rising prices are adding to Americans’ concerns about affordability as the conflict continues.

Analysts say drivers can take steps to reduce how much they spend at the pump over the holiday weekend.

De Haan recommends comparing prices among stations because fuel costs can vary significantly by location. Drivers can also improve fuel efficiency by reducing their speed and using cruise control when appropriate.