'This Man. He Just Doesn't Make No Sense': Clevelanders Vent on $4 Gas Prices

Clevelanders are adjusting their schedules, commutes and plans as the national leap in gas prices comes into full effect here in Northeast Ohio.

In the past few weeks, following the start of U.S. war in Iran, oil prices have skyrocketed. The average gas price per gallon has shot up by a quarter since early February, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows.

On Tuesday, that signaled about $3.45 per gallon on average around town. Gas Buddy showed at least three gas stations in Cleveland that clocked over $4 a gallon, not seen in the city since the summer of 2024.

Such a quick spike has led some to curtail plans, push for more work-from-home days or dip into grocery budgets to offset travel expenses, a handful of drivers told Scene while filling up on Tuesday.

“I drive for a living, at least 100 miles a week,” Chantay Johnson, a traveling registered behavior technician who treats autism patients, said at the pump at the downtown BP.

Johnson said her company reimburses her up to a $1 a mile; she has to cover the rest. “So, I’m coming up on an extra maybe $30, $40 a week now for gas? It’s just a lot.”

Olivia Botirius, a Cleveland State student who drives a half an hour to attend class, told Scene said having to fill up her 2009 Honda CR-V to drive downtown has made her and her friends pivot on social outings.

“Just this past weekend, and the weekend before. We were like, ‘Oh, I think we’re not going to go to four bars tonight. We’re just going to hang out here the whole night. Not drive around,’” she said.

Following the U.S.’ attack on Iran, the country responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway where a quarter of the world’s oil supply makes its pass in tankers. That choke has led to a supply chain rattling, with markets reeling worldwide. Gas spiked by a third in Louisiana and Texas. In Colorado and New Mexico, it shot up by nearly 40 percent.

The Trump administration has responded by both pondering a plunge into the U.S. oil reserves, while touting its production of scale. On Sunday, Trump threatened Iran on Truth Social with air strikes on their power plants if the country didn’t fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. (“Do You Blame Trump For the Increase On Gas Prices?” an ad on Trump’s page read.)

For some on Tuesday, the hike to $4 a gallon was a reminder of a faraway war they felt was unjustified and hypocritical.

“I’m born and raised in America, but I got family overseas. My mom was born in Venezuela,” Ramy Odetallah, who worries he’ll spend a few hundred dollars more driving downtown daily from Elyria, told Scene. “I know exactly what’s going on. This man. He just doesn’t make no sense.”

At a nearby pump was Adam D., a finance worker who lives with his wife in Playhouse Square.

Adam’s concern, being a downtowner who works primarily from home, was more so logistical than fretting about a transportation budget. Heightened gas costs signals higher food costs, build costs and the sort.

“America produces a lot of oil, sure. But this is a global economy,” he told Scene. “It’s just frustrating to see this—the fact you can just declare war without Congress intervening is just insane to me.”

“Costs are going to go higher, interest rates are going to stay high,” Adam said. “How can that not depress you?”

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