Texas drivers are feeling the squeeze at the pump again. Gas prices climbed another 13 cents this week, bringing the statewide average to $3.55 per gallon as of July 17, 2026. That marks the second consecutive week of increases, dashing hopes that summer fuel costs would trend downward. For those tracking the year-over-year trend, the news is even more sobering: you’re paying 76 cents more per gallon than you were in July 2025. When you factor in back-to-school shopping, family road trips, and regular commuting to work or Fort Sill, that difference puts real pressure on household budgets across Lawton and the surrounding region.
The culprit behind the latest spike is international oil market volatility. Crude oil prices have surged following the collapse of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global petroleum. Brent Crude is trading at $84.86 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate sits at $78.99. Petroleum experts from GasBuddy warn that additional geopolitical tensions could trigger further increases in retail gasoline prices over the coming weeks. West Texas communities experienced particularly steep jumps, with Midland and Odessa up 17 cents and Abilene jumping 20 cents in a single week.
If you’re budgeting for summer and fall expenses, consolidating errands, planning carpools, and keeping an eye on fuel prices makes sense. While the statewide average remains below the $4 per gallon mark, continued volatility in global oil markets suggests more uncertainty ahead. Are you changing your driving habits this summer to manage rising gas costs?
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Local Lawton
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