American drivers have reached an unwelcome milestone at the gas pump. According to Newsweek, the national average price of regular gasoline has stayed above $4 per gallon for 158 consecutive days, breaking a record established during the fuel price surge of 2022.
AAA data puts the national average at approximately $4.33 per gallon on October 16. That’s roughly 46% higher than the $2.98 motorists were paying in late February.
The previous record stood at 157 consecutive days above $4 per gallon, set during President Joe Biden’s administration. The new milestone comes under President Donald Trump, just weeks before the November midterm elections.
However, this isn’t a record for the highest gasoline price ever recorded nationwide. That distinction still belongs to June 2022, when the national average reached approximately $5.01 per gallon.
Why Are Americans Paying So Much For Gas?
The latest surge has been driven largely by instability in global oil markets following the outbreak of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran earlier this year. Concerns about Middle Eastern oil supplies have pushed crude prices higher, increasing costs for refineries and motorists.
Gasoline prices have eased slightly from recent highs but are still unusually expensive for the season. AAA noted on October 8 that this was the first year the national average had exceeded $4 per gallon during October.
Diesel Prices Are Even More Painful
Drivers of diesel-powered vehicles are facing an even steeper financial burden. AAA figures show that the national diesel average approached $6.30 per gallon, while California motorists were paying approximately $8.41.
Those increases affect far more than pickup owners and truck drivers. Farmers, freight companies, and other businesses rely heavily on diesel, meaning higher fuel costs can eventually translate into higher prices for everyday goods.
Fuel Costs Become A Political Headache
The record comes ahead of the November midterm elections, after President Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to lower energy costs. With congressional elections approaching, prolonged high gasoline prices could become an important issue for voters concerned about household expenses.
Research from Brown University’s Watson School, cited by Newsweek, estimated that rising gasoline prices since late February had added approximately $73.5 billion in costs, equivalent to around $561 per U.S. household.
Whether American drivers see relief anytime soon will depend largely on crude oil prices, supply conditions, and whether tensions in the Middle East begin to ease.