US Gas Price History: Average Gasoline Prices by Year, Chart, and Forecast
The national average gas price in the United States has oscillated between USD 2.00 and USD 5.00 per gallon over the past 15 years. This guide explains US gas price history year by year, what drives the average gasoline price, how to read a gas price chart, where prices vary by state, and what the gas price forecast suggests for the months ahead.
In this guide
US gas price overview
The national average gas price in the US is a weekly survey of retail gasoline prices across thousands of service stations, published every Monday by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). It covers Regular grade (87 AKI), Mid-grade (89 AKI), Premium (91–93 AKI), and diesel. When people refer to the "average gas price" or "average price of gasoline", they almost always mean the EIA's Regular grade national average.
As of mid-2025, the US average gas price was approximately USD 3.20–3.50 per gallon — well above the pre-2021 norm of around USD 2.50/gal, but below the June 2022 peak of USD 5.00/gal. In cost-per-litre terms (used outside North America), that is roughly USD 0.84–0.92/litre — far cheaper than Europe, where average petrol prices are typically USD 1.50–2.00/litre.
The difference is almost entirely taxes: the US federal excise tax on gasoline is just 18.4 cents/gallon (USD 0.049/litre) — unchanged since 1993 — versus excise of USD 0.50–0.70/litre in most of Western Europe. The price at the pump guide breaks down the full tax vs. product cost split. Compare US gasoline prices vs. other countries using the FuelTheGuide price explorer.
US gas price history by year — average gasoline prices
The table below shows the annual average US gas price for Regular grade, in both gallons and litres, from 2010 to 2024. Data source: EIA historical gasoline prices. This is the authoritative source for historic gas prices, gas prices by year, and average gasoline prices by year.
| Year | Avg price / gallon | Avg price / litre | Key context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $2.79 | $0.74 | Recovery from 2008–09 recession; moderate crude prices |
| 2011 | $3.53 | $0.93 | Arab Spring disruption; Libya output lost |
| 2012 | $3.64 | $0.96 | Peak pre-shale era; Brent near $115/bbl |
| 2013 | $3.53 | $0.93 | Stable high plateau |
| 2014 | $3.37 | $0.89 | OPEC price war begins; shale boom |
| 2015 | $2.45 | $0.65 | Oil price crash; Saudi pump-volume strategy |
| 2016 | $2.14 | $0.57 | Lowest annual average since 2004 |
| 2017 | $2.42 | $0.64 | Gradual recovery; OPEC output cuts begin |
| 2018 | $2.72 | $0.72 | Iran sanctions; Brent above $80/bbl in Oct |
| 2019 | $2.60 | $0.69 | Trade war uncertainty; moderate Brent |
| 2020 | $2.17 | $0.57 | COVID demand collapse; April WTI briefly negative |
| 2021 | $3.01 | $0.80 | Demand recovery faster than supply |
| 2022 | $3.96 | $1.05 | Russia-Ukraine war; June peak $5.00/gal |
| 2023 | $3.53 | $0.93 | Post-war normalisation; OPEC+ cuts |
| 2024 | $3.31 | $0.87 | US record production; moderate Brent |
Annual averages. Peak intra-year prices may be higher (e.g. June 2022: ~$5.00/gal). Petrol price in America per litre converts at 1 US gallon = 3.785 litres. Benzin price in USA (German-language search) refers to the same Regular gasoline average.
What drives US gas prices — crude oil, refining, taxes, and distribution
The average cost of gasoline in the US is built from four components, each varying by year and region:
The dominant driver of US gas prices and gas price trends. WTI crude oil (the US domestic benchmark) tracks closely with global Brent crude. When the news asks "are gas prices going up?", the answer is almost always tied to oil and gas prices. A USD 10/barrel rise in crude translates to roughly 7–9 cents per gallon at the pump before taxes. Track crude via the EIA daily spot prices.
Refinery margins — the crack spread — vary with refinery capacity utilisation and seasonal fuel-blend requirements. US refinery capacity has been tighter since COVID-era closures retired ~1 mb/d of capacity. When capacity is tight, the refinery margin widens, adding to the average US gas cost. The crack spread can double during refinery outages.
The US federal gas tax is 18.4 cents/gallon — plus state taxes ranging from 8 cents/gal (Alaska) to 68 cents/gal (California). Unlike European excise, the US federal rate has not been adjusted for inflation since 1993, so its share of the gas price has shrunk over time. The Tax Foundation state gasoline tax tracker shows current state-level rates. This tax component is why even when crude collapses, US gasoline prices don't fall to zero — there is a tax floor.
Pipeline tariffs, terminal storage, truck delivery, and the retail station margin. Regional variation in pipeline access (e.g. California's isolation from Gulf Coast pipelines) is a major driver of state-level price differences in fuel prices USA.
For the complete decomposition, see the EIA gasoline price breakdown and our price at the pump guide.
Seasonal gas price patterns — why prices rise every spring
US gasoline prices follow a reliable annual pattern visible in any gas price chart spanning multiple years. The gas price trend typically runs:
- January–March: Seasonal low. Winter-blend fuel is cheaper to produce; demand is lower. The average cost of gas tends to be at its annual low in January–February.
- March–May: Refineries switch to summer-blend fuel (lower volatility, required by EPA clean air rules). This switchover takes capacity offline and raises the cost of gasoline. Gas prices typically rise 20–50 cents/gal from February to May.
- Memorial Day–Labor Day: Peak driving season. National average gas price typically peaks in June–July. This is when people ask "what are gas prices today" the most.
- September–December: Demand falls after summer; refineries switch back to cheaper winter-blend. Gas prices per gallon decline. This is the period when gas price predictions tend to be more optimistic.
This seasonal cycle is clearly visible in the EIA's gas prices chart going back to the 1990s. Gas prices over time show this cycle repeating regardless of the underlying crude price level.
Gas prices by state — regional variation
US gas prices vary more by state than in most large economies. The main drivers of regional gas price differences are state excise tax rates, access to pipeline infrastructure, and local fuel-blend requirements. A gas price map of the US shows a consistent pattern:
- California: Consistently the highest gas prices in the continental US — typically 70–100 cents/gal above the national average gas price. Causes: California Air Resources Board (CARB) unique fuel spec, high combined state taxes (68 cents/gal), and pipeline isolation. California gas prices chart shows a persistent premium over the US average.
- West Coast (PADD 5): Oregon, Washington, and Nevada also carry premiums of 20–50 cents above the national fuel average, partly due to isolated refinery markets.
- Midwest (PADD 2): Near the national gas price average in normal conditions; can spike when Canadian crude tariffs or refinery outages constrain supply. The average gas price in Chicago often reflects these pressures.
- Gulf Coast (PADD 3): Typically the cheapest region — close to refineries, lower state taxes. Texas and Oklahoma often show the lowest gas prices in the US. The New York average gas price and Northeast prices are typically 10–15 cents above Gulf Coast.
The EIA gas price map (us gas price map) updates weekly showing state-level and PADD region averages. The AAA gas prices tracker shows a live US gas prices map with state-by-state daily averages.
US gasoline prices vs the world — why American gas is cheap
The fuel price in the USA is among the lowest of any developed economy. American petrol prices per litre translate to roughly USD 0.84–0.95/litre for Regular grade in 2024–2025 — compared to:
- UK: ~USD 1.60–1.80/litre
- Germany: ~USD 1.70–1.90/litre
- France: ~USD 1.65–1.85/litre
- Japan: ~USD 1.40–1.60/litre
- Australia: ~USD 1.20–1.50/litre
The cost of petrol in America is low not because US crude is cheaper — it isn't — but because US fuel taxes are far lower than in other developed markets. The American gas prices per litre are therefore a tax policy outcome, not a market outcome.
The cost of gas in the United States in per-gallon terms (which Americans use) can seem very different from the per-litre prices quoted internationally. To convert: USD per gallon ÷ 3.785 = USD per litre. At $3.50/gal, the petrol price per liter in USA is about $0.92. The FuelTheGuide explorer lets you compare the price of fuel in USA against any other country in the same unit and currency.
See our guide on how to compare fuel prices between countries for a methodology-focused explanation.
Gas price forecast — will gas prices go up or down?
US gas price predictions and forecasts are notoriously difficult. The EIA's own Short-Term Energy Outlook has a median forecast error of around 20–30 cents/gallon over a 12-month horizon. That said, several structural factors shape the gas price outlook:
- Crude oil: The biggest gas price forecast variable. OPEC+ production decisions — covered in our OPEC and fuel prices guide — and global demand growth are the key drivers. Future gas prices depend most on whether Brent stays below or climbs above USD 80/barrel.
- Seasonal floor: Even in a falling crude environment, US gasoline prices are unlikely to fall below USD 2.50–2.80/gal in summer due to seasonal blend requirements and fixed taxes. Is gas price going up in spring? Almost always yes.
- Refinery capacity: The tight US refinery capacity buffer means any significant outage can spike the average price of gas. Will gas prices go up tomorrow? Often yes, if a major refinery has an unplanned shutdown.
- Tariffs and trade policy: Canadian crude tariffs (see our US petrol prices 2025 article) can structurally raise Midwest gasoline costs. Future gas prices in tariff scenarios are higher than baseline.
The EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (updated monthly) is the best single source for a US gas price forecast. It includes a gas price chart with a projected path and uncertainty bands.
When is gas going down? Typically after Labor Day (early September) seasonally, and when crude oil prices fall — but the timing is unpredictable. When is the gas price going down depends on factors outside any single analyst's control.
Where to track US gas prices — live and historical data
- EIA Weekly Retail Gasoline and Diesel Prices — official national average gas price, updated Mondays. Includes state-level data, diesel price average, and historical series back to 1990. Best for: gas price chart, gas price history, average price gasoline over time.
- AAA Gas Prices — daily national average gas cost, state-by-state, and a US gas price map. Best for: today's price of gas, current gas prices by state.
- GasBuddy — crowdsourced live prices by station. Best for: finding the cheapest gas near you, local gas price tracker.
- EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook — monthly gasoline price prediction and gas price forecast, with a 12-month outlook. Best for: gas price projections, future gas prices.
- EIA: Gasoline Prices and Outlook — explainer on what drives prices, including the tax vs. crude oil breakdown. Best for: understanding average fuel prices and fuel price trends.
For a global perspective on gasoline prices around the world and diesel and gasoline price comparisons across countries, use the FuelTheGuide price explorer — which shows live national averages from the OpenVan dataset in your choice of currency and unit.
Frequently asked questions about US gas prices
What is the average gas price in the US right now?
The current national average gas price is tracked weekly by the US EIA (updated every Monday) and daily by AAA. As of mid-2025, the average US gas price for Regular was approximately USD 3.20–3.50/gallon. The gas price today may differ — check the links above for live data. The average cost of gasoline varies significantly by state: California averages 70–100 cents/gal above the national average.
What were gas prices in 2022, 2023, and 2024?
Annual average US Regular gasoline prices (EIA data): 2022: $3.96/gal (peak: $5.00/gal in June 2022 — driven by Russia-Ukraine war disruption and tight post-COVID refinery capacity); 2023: $3.53/gal (post-war normalisation); 2024: $3.31/gal (record US production, moderate Brent). Gas prices in 2025 have ranged from USD 3.10 to $3.70/gal. See the full gas price history table above or the EIA gas price data series.
Why are gas prices going up or down today?
Did gas prices go up today? The main drivers are: (1) crude oil price — when oil and gas prices move, pump prices follow in 2–4 weeks; (2) seasonal blend switchover — spring price rise as refineries transition to summer-spec fuel; (3) refinery outages — a rise in gas prices today often traces to an unplanned refinery shutdown; (4) OPEC+ decisions — see our OPEC guide; (5) demand — gas prices this week reflect the previous week's consumption data. The EIA's This Week in Petroleum explains week-to-week moves.
What is the national average gas price and who publishes it?
The national average gas price (national average for gas, national gas average, or national fuel average) is the EIA's weekly survey of thousands of US gas stations, published every Monday. The national gas price average covers Regular, Mid-grade, Premium, and diesel. Today's national average gas price and national average gas prices today are available at eia.gov. The national average gasoline price is also published by AAA daily. The average national price of gas is used in economic analyses and consumer price indices.
When will gas prices go down?
When is gas going down depends on crude oil markets and the seasonal calendar. Seasonally, gas prices typically fall after Labor Day (early September). Structurally, is the price of gas going down requires a decline in Brent crude — which depends on OPEC+ supply decisions and global demand. The EIA forecast (updated monthly) provides the best gas price predictions. Has gas prices gone down recently? Check the EIA's weekly data. Will gas prices go up tomorrow? Generally yes in spring, generally no in autumn — but short-term moves are hard to predict.
How do US gas prices compare to European petrol prices?
The US pays roughly half what Europe pays per litre of petrol. American petrol prices per litre convert to USD 0.85–0.95/litre; London gasoline prices and European petrol prices are typically USD 1.60–2.00/litre. The cost of petrol in America is lower than the cost of petrol in the UK, Germany, or France — not because crude is cheaper, but because US fuel taxes are far lower. The cost of petrol in US translates to roughly USD 3.20–3.60/gallon; American gas prices in per-litre terms are USD 0.85–0.95. Use the FuelTheGuide explorer to compare fuel prices USA vs any country in the same unit.