Every morning, radiology major Martin Campbell, 28, drops off his wife Tiffany at work, and then drives to school. After class, he picks her up and heads home.

They share a car, and over the last few days, he has driven over 100 miles, averaging around 40 to 60 miles per day commuting to school, work, home, and stores.

​They’re expecting their first baby later this year. With this new responsibility, they’ve been budgeting their expenses and reducing gas usage. They’ve limited their outings to grocery runs instead of gatherings with friends.

​Campbell, like many others, has felt the impact of the increase in gas prices.

“Gas increases have made it harder to go out unless it’s essential, like groceries…Just making one trip to the grocery store to stock up and not going again during the week helps cut down on miles driven,” Campbell said.

​As of April 22, the national average price of gas is $4.02. The average in California is $5.83. The Los Angeles area has seen prices as high as $6.04, according to AAA.

“I’m rethinking my priorities, considering whether I have expendable income. My first summer of driving gas was $0.99 a gallon. I’ve seen the devolution of how far a dollar goes,” Toby Cho, counseling advisor at El Camino College, said.

​The U.S.-Israel War with Iran has been a major contributor to the spike in gas prices. Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which has affected oil prices worldwide.

The Strait of Hormuz is a route through which several shipments pass. The blockade of the Strait causes shipments to detour, costing more money. Threats of oil tankers being bombed and seized also increase the risk and cost of oil.

President Trump has extended the two-week ceasefire deal with Iran indefinitely as of Sunday, April 26, causing uncertainty about how long the war will last.

“It’s the unknown that really worries a lot of people,” Van Chaney, 58, an assistant adjunct professor for political science, said. “If we [U.S.] open up our oil reserves, that may help stabilize gas prices, which may be a possibility.”

On Wednesday, March 11, the U.S. Department of Energy released a press statement stating that 172 million barrels of oil and other refined products will be released from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

This action comes with the International Energy Agency agreement to release 400 million barrels of oil to aid with high oil prices during the Iran War.

Higher prices for oil affect goods and services because cargo ships deliver those products and require oil to operate. This increase in price will fall on the consumer.

“Customers are still spending the same amount even if it’s high,” Itzel Ibarra, 30, a cashier at a local Chevron gas station, said.

​Californians are paying the highest taxes at the pump due to stricter environmental regulations and special fuel requirements. Approximately $0.90 per gallon is collected between local, state, and federal taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

​​The Union spoke with students and faculty at El Camino, and while some individuals aren’t directly impacted, a majority feel stressed by the increase in gas prices.

“It’s pretty expensive. I’ve been trying to work another job because of gas prices,” psychology major Hiro Park, 18, a resident of Torrance, said. “I already have to pay for groceries and other stuff, that’s already expensive for me.”

Emily Villalvazo, 19, a child development major, pays for her gas with cash because it’s more affordable. She shared how higher gas prices have impacted her attendance.

“It’s very stressful because sometimes your hours can get cut at work, which can decrease your pay, and so you don’t have money for gas, and you have to come to school less,” Villalvazo said.

Ingrid Barrera, 25, front desk for the Communication Education Offices, takes classes at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and commutes from school to her two jobs.

“Gas prices have been insane and affect me going to class in general. Sometimes I consider not going to class because of the cost. I’ve had to work more hours at work to have enough money for gas,” Barrera said.

The increase in gas prices not only impacts people’s transportation but will impact the cost of other products and services.

“Trying to budget for gas, for the baby, for living expenses can get a little stressful,” Campbell said.