Yesterday, a report of a pipeline explosion in Saudi Arabia sent oil prices up near a four-year high. The Saudis denied that report, but two things are clear: Oil traders are on edge, and prices remain very high. And obviously, that's trickling right down to the gas tank.

With gas prices rising at an unusual time of year, many are blaming speculators. Others believe refiners are worried about tensions with Iran, and are using a hedging strategy.

Gas prices have risen quickly in the past month, but reductions in consumer spending and the payroll tax cut are helping to offset the costs.

Over the weekend Newt Gingrich stumped in front of signs that promised gas at $2 .50 a gallon. Is such a world even possible today?

How do gas prices affect our short-term decisions in driving, or our longer-term decisions in purchasing vehicles? Fortune magazine's Allan Sloan looks at previous trends.

Behavioral economist Sendhil Mullainathan puts into perspective why we shouldn't be too angry over rising gas prices.

Washington bureau chief John Dimsdale discusses how rising gas prices are hurting consumers, enough to get the president's attention.

Rising prices at the gas pump could threaten the economic recovery and pose an election year problem for Obama. What can he do?

The president spoke to the crowd at the University of Miami about American energy.

Consumers are not only feeling the pinch of higher gas prices at the pump. They are also getting hit with higher plane tickets as airlines pass rising jet fuel costs to passengers.