Why Gas Prices Keep Rising | Lexington News

Lexington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 7, 2026 · 1m

Gas prices skyrocketed in Kentucky this year, triggering one of the nation’s largest monthly spending spikes — but it’s not just about the pump. The real story? Crude oil costs drive over half the price, swayed by global supply, politics, and disasters like Gulf Coast hurricanes. Refiners profit on the difference, then trucks, pipelines, and station overhead add layers. Taxes — federal and state — pile on too, with Kentucky’s 26.4 cents per gallon adding to the bill. When oil climbs, gas follows — and while prices don’t always fall fast when oil drops, the whole chain explains why your tank’s…