American drivers are on track for a dubious record. The national average price of regular gasoline has now been above $4 a gallon on 157 days this year, tying the record set in 2022, according to a count by GasBuddy. If prices stay above that level on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 will set a new annual record.
What drivers are paying
AAA’s national average stood at $4.34 a gallon this week, easing slightly from the week before but still $1.26 higher than a year ago, when it was $3.08. That difference adds up quickly:
- A 15-gallon fill-up now costs about $65, compared with about $46 a year ago.
- A household using 50 gallons a month is paying roughly $63 more each month.
This is the first year the national average has topped $4 in October, and AAA says current prices are the highest ever for this time of year. The all-time high remains $5.0165 a gallon, reached on June 14, 2022.
“The milestone measures the total number of days above $4 during a calendar year,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noting that the days do not have to be consecutive. “More states saw average gasoline prices decline than rise over the last week,” he added.
Why prices are so high
Crude oil has traded around or above $100 a barrel for much of the year because shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a route for about a fifth of the world’s oil in peacetime — has been shut since the war involving Iran began in February. Fuel prices have become a political issue ahead of the November midterm elections.
Practical ways to spend less on fuel
- Compare before you fill. Prices can vary by tens of cents a gallon within a few miles; price-comparison apps help.
- Check the fine print. Some advertised prices require cash, a membership or a rewards programme.
- Combine errands into one trip and avoid short, separate journeys on a cold engine.
- Don’t idle. Turning the engine off when parked saves fuel.
- Drive smoothly. Gentle acceleration and steady speeds can noticeably improve fuel economy; so can keeping tyres at the recommended pressure.
- Lighten the load. Remove roof racks and heavy items you don’t need.
For households already stretched by higher prices for food, energy and travel, these small changes will not erase the cost of a fill-up — but over a month, they can make a measurable difference.