US gasoline above $4/gal for record 158 days, stoking inflation and political pressure

US retail gasoline has held above $4 per gallon for 158 consecutive days, a record stretch, driven by international conflicts and tight supply. The sustained high fuel costs are feeding into inflation and consumer spending, creating a political liability for the administration ahead of elections. The duration of the price level is unprecedented, but the exact inflation pass-through and electoral impact remain uncertain.