It took less than a week for gas prices to spike after the U.S and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday.As the war continues, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf where about a fifth of the world's oil passes through. Any disruption to traffic thro ugh the Strait of Hormuz is highly disruptive to oil shipments. On Wednesday, the average price in Chicago for a regular gallon of gas was $3.51, or 17 cents higher than the week prior, according to AAA. The national average was $3.20, up by 20 cents compared to the week prior.“I continue to watch the Strait of Hormuz. That's really what is driving the current situation," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "It’s a vital waterway, which carries about 20% to 25% of the total amount of oil consumed on a global basis every day. … As goes the situation in the Strait, so go oil and gas prices.”Haan predicts average gas prices may go up further by 10 cents or 20 cents. He said another increase will occur due to the required annual transition to "summer" gas."I think a lot of people are thinking that we're going to see some massive spike back to $4 or $5 or $6," he said. “Oil prices today are actually down a little bit, but we also have the seasonality that's starting to impact prices too.”Chicago's average gas price of $3.51 is still about 12 cents lower compared to this time last year. Still, the recent double-digit spike is concerning for a number of Chicago area residents, including some that remembered the record-high prices in 2022. Portage Park resident Nahva Bropleh, 34, is a real estate leasing agent. He estimates he drives his 2021 Kia Soul about 20 miles per day for work. His wife also has car. “I'm definitely afraid of prices getting higher. I mean, I have to drive for work. So I can't really avoid not getting gas. Our other car is a four-wheel drive that takes up more gas than this,” said Bropleh, as he pumped about $10 of gas at a Shell station in Lake View, where the price for regular gasoline was $3.49.If gas prices climb, he anticipates cutting back on date nights and recreational travel.“It's just tough, especially when you got family that's not in state and you want to try to visit them,” he said.Illinois has the eighth-highest average gas price in the country at $3.32, according to AAA. California ($4.74) and Hawaii ($4.42) took the crown for the most expensive at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.Illinois often has higher gas prices than the national average because it has the second-highest taxes on gas in the country, according to Illinois Policy.“These increases can add up to spending $30 more a month on gas,” Gay Held, 70, said. “I pray it doesn’t get out of control.”Held doesn’t drive as much anymore, but she'll often fill up even if her car's tank is half full. Gay Held, 70, of Lake View, makes a stop at a Lake View Shell station.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times “It'll be a little less expensive [because] I know the next time I fill it's gonna be higher, possibly. We'll see what happens with Hormuz,” Held said.President Donald Trump pitched a plan Tuesday aimed at getting oil and trade moving again through the Strait.He said on social media that he ordered the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. to provide political risk insurance for tankers carrying oil and other goods through the Persian Gulf “at a very reasonable price.” Political risk insurance is a type of coverage intended to protect firms against financial losses caused by unstable political conditions, government actions, or violence. Marine insurers had been canceling or raising rates for insurance in the region.He said, if necessary, the U.S. Navy would escort oil tankers through the Strait. Flashback to 2022Irwin Toledo, 22, fears a spike higher than in 2022, when Chicago saw record-high unleaded gas prices of up to $6.07, largely due to the war in Ukraine. “I think it’s going to get a lot worse,” he said. “I could always walk to work instead, I guess.”At a nearby pump, Ed O’Brien said he relies on his fuel rewards card for savings.O’Brien, 54, drives his 2021 Kia a lot for his job in sales, estimating a weekly mileage of 150. He spends about $30 for a full tank. While he used his rewards card, which he signed up for in 2022, he still spent about $30 for a full tank on Wednesday.Brett Bakasov, a chauffeur with a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, pays for gas out-of-pocket. His job is his main source of income. He said he racks up about 200 miles daily and spends about $90 for a full tank, which he fills up every couple days.“I normally fill up at Costco,” the Schaumburg resident said. Costco is known for having cheaper gas — the Lincoln Park location advertised regular gas at $3.25.“I’m concerned, but, I mean, I cannot change the gas prices,” he said. “I can work more hours to make more, though. Driving is a necessity; it pays my bills.”Jada Brown, assistant manager at the Lake View Shell station, hasn't noticed much of a price increase yet. She remembers how angry customers were in 2022 when prices jumped."People act like it's my fault," she said. "They say I need to talk to somebody, and I shouldn't raise them prices. I say, I can't go back there and change prices."While the future of gas prices is uncertain and dependent on a number of events, particularly the war in Iran, there are things drivers can do to conserve gas, according to Molly Hart, spokesperson for the Illinois chapter of AAA.“You could combine your errands and do it all in one swoop to save on gas. If you have anything heavy in the car, that's going to put more pressure on the gas,” she said. “And speeding, aggressive driving depletes your gas in the tank.”Hart also recommended downloading mobile apps that map nearby gas stations and prices to help find the lowest price.“It’s a watch and see. It’s really too early to predict what it’s going to look like,” she said. “We aren’t anticipating [higher prices] but … I don’t want to give false hope.” ...read more read less