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The reason people want to know who controls gas prices is because in different states and cities, gas prices vary substantially in the US. Even in the same city, you can price variation for no rhyme or reason. Gas prices are affected by certain factors and these factors have a great impact on the price of gas at the pump.
American society as a whole is highly dependent on gas. If there is a shortage of gas in the near future, it will cripple the entire nation. Americans drive nearly 3 trillion miles a year. To give you an idea how much Americans drive, the 3 trillion miles is equivalent to 820 trips from the Sun to Pluto and back!
According to the Department of Energy, the US consumes about 20 million barrels of oil products a day. Out of this half is used for motor gas and the rest is used for distillate fuel oil, jet fuel, residual fuel and other oils. Each barrel contains 42 gallons which yields around 19 to 20 gallons of gas. This means that in the US approximately 178 million gallons of gas is consumed on a daily basis.
Gas prices are controlled by supply and demand. During the summer months, gas prices in the US increase because many people go on vacations. Holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July give opportunity to people to get away. This high demand translates to high gas prices. However, prices do not always go up in summer. In addition, higher demand for gas outpaces the capacity that refineries have. This leads to a shortage of gas and therefore an increase in prices.
Another factor control gas prices is the price of world crude oil. As the inventory for crude decreases, the price for crude increases.
Ultimately gas prices are controlled by OPEC, the governments of various countries, the oil refineries and the retailers.
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The price of gas is at an all time high. There is speculation that price is going to climb still higher. Everyday crude oil price is increasing and this in turn is increasing gas prices. However, it is about time that gas prices lower and there are reasons enough for it. 
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