Charted: Pump pain
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Northwest Arkansas drivers are paying less than the national average for gas, but a fast run-up at the pump is a lot to handle in a car-dependent region.
Why it matters: Higher gas prices are one of the quickest ways an energy shock hits households. Even when they're manageable on paper, they can still leave drivers feeling squeezed and thinking twice about road trips, eating out or other discretionary spending.
By the numbers: Regular unleaded in the NWA metro averaged $3.79 a gallon on May 1, up from a low of about $2.41 in December, according to GasBuddy data.
- The national average hit $4.42 on May 1.
The big picture: The Iran war-driven oil shock is pushing up gas prices and complicating summer travel plans. The U.S. is better insulated than Europe or Asia from outright shortages, but it still stings.
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