Gasoline prices in major U.S. cities are stubbornly hovering near record highs, with Americans now routinely paying $5 or more per gallon despite President Trump's temporary halt to Middle East hostilities, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. Drivers in Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are shelling out $5 to $6 a gallon, a stark contrast to pre-war levels. The persistence of these elevated prices stems from supply constraints in global energy markets that predate the conflict and show no immediate signs of easing, even with the cease-fire holding.

This situation represents a significant financial burden for consumers and businesses alike, with ripple effects across the broader economy.