Gas prices are displayed on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on April 2, 2026. (Jennifer Svan)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Gas prices are climbing rapidly at U.S. military bases in Germany, home to the largest U.S. military presence in Europe, as the effects of the Iran war push global fuel costs higher.
The price surge comes as Iran continues to restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply usually moves.
At Ramstein Air Base, a key hub for U.S. operations in Europe, a gallon of super unleaded was listed at $5.01 as of Thursday, while diesel reached $6.13.
That is an increase of more than a dollar per gallon for super unleaded and $1.71 for diesel compared to Feb. 27, a day before the war began, based on data from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service for U.S. bases in Germany.
The U.S. national average for regular unleaded has risen above $4 per gallon, more than a dollar higher than pre-war prices, according to AAA data Thursday.
U.S. posts across the globe have also seen price spikes during the conflict.
At U.S. installations in the United Kingdom, super unleaded prices have increased by over a dollar to $5.42 per gallon, while diesel prices have risen to $5.89. Last week, Stars and Stripes reported that the price of premium gas on U.S. military bases in South Korea and Guam were set to jump above $5 a gallon.
According to AAFES, fuel prices on bases are standardized across each country and adjusted daily based on local market conditions. For service members in Germany, AAFES maintains a fuel partnership with Esso, providing tax-free prices both on base and at select off-base Esso stations.
AAFES forwarded questions regarding the rapid price increases to its corporate communications office, which did not immediately respond Thursday.
Global crude prices have soared in recent weeks. Brent crude, a global oil benchmark, was at nearly $109 per barrel on April 2 — an increase of over $36 compared to before the war.
Even with the spike, on-base fuel in Germany remains significantly cheaper than prices on the local economy, which have also climbed significantly.
Fuel in Germany averaged about $2.42 per liter — roughly $9.16 per gallon, according to the Global Petrol Prices website updated Monday.
In a national address Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump attempted to reassure Americans that the increased fuel prices were temporary.
“When this conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally,” Trump said. “It will resume the flowing and the gas prices will rapidly come back down.”
Stars and Stripes reporters Lara Korte, Jennifer Svan and Bradley Latham contributed to this story.
