gas prices are probably going up because of increased tension in Iraq. There was a suicide bomber that got into the green zone, inside the parliamentary building and killed one Iraqi legislator and injured dozens of others. Also, a suicide bomber destroyed a whole BRIDGE that left 12 or so dead and at least 70 people injured. Usually gas prices go up and down depending on how confident investors are in trading oil. It may go up if there are increased tensions/fighting or go down if everything seems to be stable. It's got nothing really to do with us being dependent on oil. Also, don't forget that summer is right around the corner and we all drive during the summer, so gas prices will get even higher.