Brown University researchers launched a new online tool on April 14 that allows American consumers to track real-time gasoline and diesel price increases tied to the ongoing war in Iran. The digital tracker, developed by a team of energy, policy, and data experts at Brown, provides up-to-date information on how the conflict is affecting fuel costs for households across the United States.
The initiative comes as U.S. consumers face rising expenses at the pump due to international events. According to the tracker, by mid-April the average American household had already spent more than $150 in additional energy costs since hostilities began with Iran on Feb. 28, amounting to a national total of about $20 billion in increased gasoline and diesel expenditures.
Jeff Colgan, director of Brown’s Climate Solutions Lab at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs and leader of the project, said: “This is an expense coming directly out of the pockets of American consumers, and consumers can use the tracker to help plan for the extra costs that might come with road trips or summer vacations.”
A key aspect of the tool is its ability to compare actual recorded fuel prices—sourced from AAA’s Fuel Prices dashboard—with estimated baseline prices had there been no conflict. Additional data was obtained from federal sources such as the U.S. Energy Information Administration and U.S. Census Bureau. Users can toggle between gasoline and diesel statistics, view national trends, or explore state-by-state variations.
Colgan noted that higher diesel prices affect not only drivers but also contribute to increased transportation costs for goods: “Even if you don’t drive a diesel car, diesel affects you,” he said.
The website aims to serve both consumers seeking financial planning guidance and journalists reporting on domestic economic consequences stemming from international conflicts. Colgan said inspiration came partly from Brown’s Costs of War project: “There’s a lot of discussion about the human and military costs of war, as there should be,” he said. “We weren’t seeing as much about energy costs and how they directly affect Americans.”
John Perdue, a senior concentrating in economics and computer science at Brown who built much of the site’s technical infrastructure within weeks after discussing it with Colgan, described his involvement as valuable preparation for entering professional life after graduation this May.
While other global supply disruptions—such as those affecting jet fuel or natural gas—can impact broader markets during wartime conditions like those seen around oil transit routes including the Strait of Hormuz, these are not yet included in this version but may be added later.
Colgan concluded that elevated energy prices could continue even after any pause in military activity: “The energy costs are likely to extend well after any pause in military activity,” he said.
