American drivers have set an unwelcome record: the national average price of regular gasoline has stayed above $4 a gallon for 158 days in 2026, surpassing the previous record set in 2022, according to AAA data tallied by GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan. As of October 14, drivers were paying an average of $4.33 a gallon — up from around $2.98 before the conflict with Iran began in February.
October has become the first month on record with the national average above $4 a gallon. September set a record for the highest monthly average ever recorded for that month, and AAA says pump prices remain the highest they have ever been for autumn.
What record fuel prices cost drivers
The math is painful. A 15-gallon fill-up costs about $65 at today’s national average, compared with roughly $46 a year ago. For someone buying 50 gallons a month, the difference works out to about $63 in additional monthly fuel costs.
Diesel drivers have it even worse: diesel averaged about $6.28 a gallon in mid-October, up nearly 71% from last year and just 25 cents below its all-time record of $6.53 set on September 22. Those costs eventually filter into prices for everything from groceries to replacement car parts.
Why prices won’t come down
Disruptions to oil shipments through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz have kept crude prices elevated — back above $90 a barrel after briefly dipping into the $80s. Hurricane Isaias is another wild card that could push prices higher if it disrupts oil production or refineries.
There is a small silver lining: gasoline prices have edged down slightly in recent days. But a few cents of relief won’t erase months of record-setting costs.
The cheapest and priciest states
The pain isn’t evenly spread. California leads the nation at $6.34 a gallon, followed by Hawaii ($5.63), Washington ($5.46) and Nevada ($5.45). The cheapest markets are Ohio ($3.71), Indiana ($3.72), Georgia ($3.84) and Texas ($3.87).
With overall inflation running at 3.7% and gasoline up 34.2% from a year ago, fuel has become the single biggest pressure on household budgets heading into the holidays.
How drivers are coping
Some states are stepping in. Georgia suspended its state gas tax through October 29, and North Carolina suspended a 41-cent tax — though officials estimate the actual pump-price break is closer to 30 cents a gallon. AAA advises drivers to save more by driving efficiently, staying current on vehicle maintenance and combining errands. The Energy Information Administration releases its next weekly fuel update on October 27.
