For many Monmouth University students, especially upperclassmen, going to class starts with a drive. They may travel only a few miles or commute from Staten Island. As gas prices rise, those trips add to the cost of attending college.
Gas prices have changed greatly over time. Leaded regular gasoline averaged about 57 cents per gallon in 1975, but a dollar bought more then than it does today. Inflation matters when comparing prices from different decades.Unleaded regular gasoline averaged about $1.06 per gallon in 1998, $1.51 in 2000 and $1.59 in 2003 (U.S. Energy Information Administration).
A more recent increase followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war raised concerns about fuel supplies around the world. By June, the national average for regular gasoline had reached a record of about $5.02 per gallon. The price later fell from that peak, though drivers continued to face higher costs (AAA).
Tensions between Israel and Iran affected oil markets in June 2025. The conflict escalated on Feb. 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran and Iran responded with attacks in the region (U.S. Energy Information Administration).
The fighting has affected the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route between Iran and Oman. Military activity has reduced tanker traffic, while attacks on tankers and energy infrastructure have made shipping more uncertain. The Associated Press reported that a tanker was struck in the strait in Sept. Shipping data also showed traffic remained far below its level before the war. Because oil is sold in a global market, problems moving it overseas can affect what drivers pay in New Jersey.
When the war began on Feb. 28, regular gasoline averaged about $2.98 per gallon nationwide, based on figures shared by NBC News. The average reached $4.23 by Apr. 29 and $4.54 by May 6. It fell to about $4.12 in June and about $4.09 in late Aug., before rising again to approximately $4.48 by Sept. 21 (AAA). Prices have not increased every week, but they have stayed high for months and recently began climbing again. The conflict is one reason for the extended period of high prices; fuel supplies, refinery operations and demand also affect prices.
On Sept. 21, the average price of regular gasoline in New Jersey was about $4.42 per gallon, according to AAA. At that price, filling a 14-gallon tank would cost about $62.
The total cost depends on a student’s distance from campus, vehicle and class schedule. However, a student who drives to Monmouth four or five days a week may purchase several tanks of gas during a semester.
Gas is not the only cost of driving. Students may pay for car insurance, repairs, oil changes, tolls and other maintenance. These expenses come on top of tuition, textbooks, food and other college costs.
Students commute for a variety of reasons. Some live at home to avoid the cost of campus housing, while others remain close to their families or travel between school and work. For those students, access to a car may be necessary to attend classes and meet other responsibilities.
Higher transportation costs can require students with limited budgets to reduce other spending or work additional hours. The extent of that effect varies according to each student’s commute and financial circumstances.
Some commuters may arrange their schedules to attend classes on fewer days, reducing the number of weekly trips to campus.
Condensed schedules, however, can mean taking several classes on the same day affecting a students ability to pay attention.
Transportation costs may influence how long commuters remain on campus. Students with several hours between an afternoon class and an evening activity must decide whether to wait on campus, make an additional round trip or skip the activity. That decision can affect participation in clubs, athletic events, study groups and other campus activities.
“I spend about $45 each week just driving to Monmouth,” said Summer Siciliano, a sophomore from Wanamassa. “When gas prices go up, I have to cut back on going out shopping with my friends and eating out in order to save up.”
The cost also affects people who commute to work at Monmouth. Professor Hokanson, who lives in Howell, said in an email, “My commute to work is about 21 miles, and I absolutely feel the impact of rising gas prices. It’s the same trip as always, but it costs considerably more right now.”
Additional reporting could examine how many Monmouth students commute, how far they travel and what transportation services they currently use. Gas prices are determined by economic conditions, international conflicts and government policies extending beyond West Long Branch, but their effects can be measured on campus. For Monmouth’s commuter students, transportation is one component of the overall cost of attending college.
