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United States gasoline prices exceed $4 per gallon for record 158 days
Gasoline prices in the United States have remained above $4 per gallon for a record 158 days in 2026. As of Wednesday, the national average for regular gasoline stood at $4.33 per gallon, according to AAA and GasBuddy.
Analysts attribute the sustained high costs to geopolitical instability, specifically the war in the Middle East and supply disruptions in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Crude oil prices have risen significantly, trading above $106 per barrel, a roughly 50% increase compared to pre-conflict levels.
These fuel costs have had a notable impact on inflation. In September, gasoline price increases of over 9% compared to August accounted for more than half of the total monthly increase in the general inflation index. Diesel prices have also seen a sharp rise, reaching a national average of $6.29 per gallon, representing a 66% increase since the start of the conflict.
The energy crisis presents a political challenge for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, where the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for renewal. Consumer confidence has also declined, with University of Michigan surveys showing levels near historic lows.
Entities
AAA · Donald Trump · Energy Information Administration · GasBuddy · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Gasoline prices in the US have stayed above $4 per gallon for 158 days in 2026. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.extranoticias.cl · www.carscoops.com · gestion.pe
- [● 4 SOURCES] Fuel price increases in September accounted for more than half of the monthly inflation increase. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.extranoticias.cl · gestion.pe
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The national average gasoline price decreased slightly from the previous week to $4.33. gasprices.aaa.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The national average gasoline price was $4.33 per gallon on Wednesday. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.extranoticias.cl · gasprices.aaa.com · www.carscoops.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Crude oil is trading above $106 per barrel. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.extranoticias.cl · gestion.pe
- [● 4 SOURCES] Fuel price increases are linked to the war in the Middle East and supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.extranoticias.cl · gestion.pe
- [● 5 SOURCES] The national average for diesel reached $6.29 per gallon. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformante.com.do · www.extranoticias.cl · www.carscoops.com · gestion.pe
- [○ 1 SOURCE] U.S. crude oil inventories decreased by 8.6 million barrels to 415.6 million barrels. gasprices.aaa.com