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But prices are at the highest level since 2022 and may not have peaked

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The national average price for regular gasoline stood at about $4.52 a gallon on Monday, May 18, according to AAA, with California topping $6 a gallon while some Southern states remained near $4.

• Analysts say geopolitical tensions, strong global demand for U.S. fuel exports and seasonal refinery pressures are keeping prices elevated heading into summer.

• Industry experts expect continued volatility through the summer, though forecasts for later in 2026 still point to lower prices if supply disruptions ease.

AAA, which tracks gasoline prices in all 50 states, reports the national average price of regular gas is starting the week at $4.51 a gallon, the same as the day before. Its actually a penny lower than last Monday.

But todays average price is more than $1.50 per gallon higher than the day before the start of the Iran war. Industry analysts warn that relief may be limited as the summer driving season gets underway.

Prices vary dramatically by region, with California averaging more than $6.15 a gallon, while Texas and several Gulf Coast states were still below $4.

The increase reflects a combination of geopolitical instability, seasonal refinery issues and robust international demand for U.S. energy products.

Iran war was a game-changer

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said global supply disruptions have transformed what was expected to be a relatively calm year for fuel prices into a volatile market.

The same oil we rely on can be moved anywhere in the world, De Haan told Business Insider, noting that record U.S. exports are contributing to tighter domestic supplies.

Industry analysts say tensions affecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have intensified concerns about global crude supplies, pushing up oil and gasoline futures. Refiners are also transitioning to more expensive summer fuel blends, while maintenance and outages at some U.S. refineries have tightened gasoline inventories.

West Coast feels the most pain

The Energy Information Administrations latest fuel update showed particularly steep prices on the West Coast, where California gasoline averaged more than $7.22 a gallon in some regions. Diesel prices also remain elevated nationally, averaging about $5.64 a gallon.

Analysts warn that diesel prices could become an even larger economic problem because diesel fuels trucking, rail transportation and agriculture. MarketWatch reported that diesel prices are nearing record highs, raising concerns about broader inflation pressures as transportation costs work their way through the economy.

Despite the recent spike, some forecasters still believe prices could ease later in the year if geopolitical tensions stabilize and refinery operations normalize.

GasBuddys annual outlook released earlier this year projected a 2026 national average gasoline price below $3 a gallon, though that forecast was issued before the latest Middle East disruptions intensified.

With gas prices well over $4 a gallon, fuel efficiency has never been more important

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Toyota Prius remains the fuel economy king, delivering up to 57 mpg combined while offering sharper styling and better performance than previous generations.

• Hybrid SUVs are gaining popularity, with models like the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid offering strong fuel savings without sacrificing space or comfort.

• Automakers are expanding fuel-efficient options across every vehicle category, giving consumers more choices in hybrids and EVs as gas prices and vehicle costs remain high.

Over the last few weeks, gasoline prices have surged by well over $1 per gallon, meaning a fill-up is a lot more expensive now. Thats creating renewed interest in vehicles that provide superior fuel economy.

Automotive publisher Edmunds latest rankings of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on sale in America show that buyers no longer have to sacrifice comfort, technology or performance to save money at the pump.

The latest crop of fuel-sipping vehicles is dominated by hybrids, particularly Toyota models, though automakers such as Hyundai, Honda and Kia are making significant gains in efficiency and driving refinement. Edmunds evaluated vehicles using EPA combined fuel economy ratings, focusing on the most efficient trim levels available.

Prius leads the pack

Leading the pack once again is the Toyota Prius, which delivers up to 57 mpg combined in its most efficient configuration. Edmunds noted that the redesigned Prius has shed its longtime economy car image and now offers improved styling and a more engaging driving experience while remaining one of the cheapest vehicles to operate.

Other standout hybrids include the Kia Niro, rated at up to 53 mpg combined, and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which continues to attract buyers looking for midsize sedan comfort without high fuel costs. Edmunds also highlighted the Honda Civic Hybrid and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid among the best-performing hybrid cars for 2026.

Hybrid SUVs are also becoming more competitive as consumers continue shifting away from traditional sedans. Edmunds named the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid its top gas-saving hybrid SUV, praising its balance of efficiency, performance and ride quality. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid remain strong contenders in the compact SUV category.

For larger families, automakers are bringing hybrid technology into three-row SUVs. The new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid delivers as much as 34 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form while offering more than 600 miles of driving range.

EVs are getting new consideration

Electric vehicles are also becoming more efficient and practical, according to Edmunds. Models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3 and Lucid Air continue to post some of the highest MPGe ratings in the industry while improving charging speeds and driving range.

Industry analysts say the renewed emphasis on fuel economy is arriving as consumers face higher vehicle prices and elevated gasoline costs. Business Insider recently reported that average new-car prices have climbed above $50,000 while rising fuel costs are driving more shoppers toward hybrids and EVs.

Edmunds also advises consumers to look beyond fuel economy numbers alone when considering hybrids. Experts recommend calculating how quickly the added cost of hybrid technology will pay for itself through fuel savings. Vehicles such as the Ford Maverick Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid were cited as examples with relatively short payback periods.

The growing variety of efficient vehicles means consumers now have more choices than ever, whether they want a compact commuter car, a family SUV or a fully electric vehicle. And unlike earlier generations of economy-focused vehicles, many of todays top fuel savers also rank highly for comfort, performance and technology.

Research suggests weight-loss operations may offer stronger long-term cardiovascular benefits

• A new Mayo Clinic study compared bariatric surgery with GLP-1 weight-loss medications in adults with obesity.

• Both treatments improved cardiovascular health, but surgery was linked to larger reductions in long-term heart disease risk.

• Researchers say the findings support a more personalized approach to obesity treatment rather than viewing medications and surgery as competing options.

For years, bariatric surgery was often seen as a last-resort option for people struggling with obesity. But as newer GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have surged in popularity, doctors and researchers have been taking a closer look at how these treatments compare especially when it comes to long-term health, not just the number on the scale.

Now, a new study from Mayo Clinic suggests that while both approaches can improve cardiovascular health, bariatric surgery may provide a greater reduction in long-term heart disease risk. The research, published in the journal Annals of Surgery, focused on adults with obesity and examined how different treatment approaches affected estimated cardiovascular risk over time.

"This study reinforces that obesity treatment should be viewed as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk, not just body weight," researcher Omar Ghanem, M.D. said in a news release.

"It supports a more individualized, patient-centered approach where treatment decisions are based on long-term health impact."

The study

The researchers analyzed outcomes from 812 adults with obesity who were treated between 2020 and 2023 within a large U.S. health system.

Of those participants, 579 underwent metabolic or bariatric surgery, while 233 received GLP-1 receptor agonist medications.

Rather than simply measuring pounds lost, investigators looked at changes in estimated cardiovascular disease risk, including both 10-year and lifetime risk calculations. They also tracked changes in body weight after treatment. The study was observational, meaning researchers reviewed real-world patient outcomes instead of assigning participants to treatments in a randomized trial.

What the study found

According to the findings, both treatments improved cardiovascular risk profiles, but the changes were more substantial among people who underwent surgery.

Lifetime cardiovascular risk declined by 8.6% in the surgery group, compared with 1.7% among patients treated with GLP-1 medications.

Researchers also found that surgery produced greater overall weight loss. On average, patients who had bariatric surgery lost nearly 28% of their body weight, while those taking medications lost about 11%.

The study also found that larger amounts of weight loss were closely tied to greater reductions in cardiovascular risk, particularly among patients who lost more than 20% of their body weight after surgery.

Researchers emphasized that the findings should not be interpreted as an argument against medications. Instead, they say both treatments have an important role in obesity care.

"Rather than thinking of these treatments as competing options, we should view them as complementary tools," says Dr. Ghanem. "Both surgery and medications play important roles in reducing long-term cardiovascular risk, and the right approach depends on the individual patient."

The authors noted that additional long-term studies are still needed to evaluate outcomes such as heart attacks, strokes, survival rates, and how durable medication-related weight loss remains over time.

Research suggests weight-loss operations may offer stronger long-term cardiovascular benefits

• A new Mayo Clinic study compared bariatric surgery with GLP-1 weight-loss medications in adults with obesity.

• Both treatments improved cardiovascular health, but surgery was linked to larger reductions in long-term heart disease risk.

• Researchers say the findings support a more personalized approach to obesity treatment rather than viewing medications and surgery as competing options.

For years, bariatric surgery was often seen as a last-resort option for people struggling with obesity. But as newer GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have surged in popularity, doctors and researchers have been taking a closer look at how these treatments compare especially when it comes to long-term health, not just the number on the scale.

Now, a new study from Mayo Clinic suggests that while both approaches can improve cardiovascular health, bariatric surgery may provide a greater reduction in long-term heart disease risk. The research, published in the journal Annals of Surgery, focused on adults with obesity and examined how different treatment approaches affected estimated cardiovascular risk over time.

"This study reinforces that obesity treatment should be viewed as a strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk, not just body weight," researcher Omar Ghanem, M.D. said in a news release.

"It supports a more individualized, patient-centered approach where treatment decisions are based on long-term health impact."

The study

The researchers analyzed outcomes from 812 adults with obesity who were treated between 2020 and 2023 within a large U.S. health system.

Of those participants, 579 underwent metabolic or bariatric surgery, while 233 received GLP-1 receptor agonist medications.

Rather than simply measuring pounds lost, investigators looked at changes in estimated cardiovascular disease risk, including both 10-year and lifetime risk calculations. They also tracked changes in body weight after treatment. The study was observational, meaning researchers reviewed real-world patient outcomes instead of assigning participants to treatments in a randomized trial.

What the study found

According to the findings, both treatments improved cardiovascular risk profiles, but the changes were more substantial among people who underwent surgery.

Lifetime cardiovascular risk declined by 8.6% in the surgery group, compared with 1.7% among patients treated with GLP-1 medications.

Researchers also found that surgery produced greater overall weight loss. On average, patients who had bariatric surgery lost nearly 28% of their body weight, while those taking medications lost about 11%.

The study also found that larger amounts of weight loss were closely tied to greater reductions in cardiovascular risk, particularly among patients who lost more than 20% of their body weight after surgery.

Researchers emphasized that the findings should not be interpreted as an argument against medications. Instead, they say both treatments have an important role in obesity care.

"Rather than thinking of these treatments as competing options, we should view them as complementary tools," says Dr. Ghanem. "Both surgery and medications play important roles in reducing long-term cardiovascular risk, and the right approach depends on the individual patient."

The authors noted that additional long-term studies are still needed to evaluate outcomes such as heart attacks, strokes, survival rates, and how durable medication-related weight loss remains over time.