According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for gasoline, unleaded midgrade are 199.33% higher in 2024 versus 1997 (a $7.42 difference in value).
The current national average price is $3.72 for "Gasoline, unleaded midgrade, per gallon/3.785 liters". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1997 and 2024: Gasoline, unleaded midgrade experienced an average inflation rate of 4.14% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded midgrade costing $3.72 in the year 1997 would cost $11.14 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.51% during this same period, inflation for gasoline, unleaded midgrade was higher.
In the year 1997: Pricing changed by -0.11%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for gasoline, unleaded midgrade during the 1997-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1997 (2.33%), inflation for gasoline, unleaded midgrade was lower.
The average price for Gasoline, unleaded midgrade is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Gasoline, unleaded midgrade, per gallon/3.785 liters:
| Year | Average price (Gasoline, unleaded midgrade) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.72 (latest available value) | $3.72 |
| 2023 | $4.07 | $4.07 |
| 2022 | $4.43 | $4.31 |
| 2021 | $3.40 | $3.01 |
| 2020 | $2.52 | $2.92 |
| 2019 | $2.96 | $4.52 |
| 2018 | $3.03 | $3.99 |
| 2017 | $2.69 | $3.45 |
| 2016 | $2.40 | $3.48 |
| 2015 | $2.69 | $4.37 |
| 2014 | $3.55 | $5.20 |
| 2013 | $3.68 | $4.02 |
| 2012 | $3.77 | $4.00 |
| 2011 | $3.66 | $3.79 |
| 2010 | $2.91 | $3.11 |
| 2009 | $2.47 | $3.33 |
| 2008 | $3.38 | $5.37 |
| 2007 | $2.91 | $3.39 |
| 2006 | $2.69 | $3.66 |
| 2005 | $2.39 | $3.52 |
| 2004 | $1.98 | $3.28 |
| 2003 | $1.69 | $3.40 |
| 2002 | $1.47 | $3.48 |
| 2001 | $1.58 | $4.32 |
| 2000 | $1.60 | $4.13 |
| 1999 | $1.26 | $3.13 |
| 1998 | $1.16 | $3.66 |
| 1997 | $1.33 | $4.55 |
| 1996 | $1.32 | $3.96 |
| 1995 | $1.24 | $3.72 |
| 1994 | $1.22 | $3.85 |
| 1993 | $1.19 | $3.79 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded midgrade, over time, for $3.72 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $3.72 | -0.11% |
| 1998 | $3.25 | -12.71% |
| 1999 | $3.53 | 8.58% |
| 2000 | $4.49 | 27.32% |
| 2001 | $4.32 | -3.85% |
| 2002 | $4.06 | -6.01% |
| 2003 | $4.70 | 15.79% |
| 2004 | $5.53 | 17.64% |
| 2005 | $6.72 | 21.56% |
| 2006 | $7.57 | 12.72% |
| 2007 | $8.18 | 8.05% |
| 2008 | $9.56 | 16.80% |
| 2009 | $7.01 | -26.70% |
| 2010 | $8.26 | 17.93% |
| 2011 | $10.40 | 25.86% |
| 2012 | $10.75 | 3.36% |
| 2013 | $10.50 | -2.30% |
| 2014 | $10.19 | -2.91% |
| 2015 | $7.61 | -25.32% |
| 2016 | $6.85 | -9.97% |
| 2017 | $7.68 | 12.07% |
| 2018 | $8.68 | 13.00% |
| 2019 | $8.46 | -2.49% |
| 2020 | $7.30 | -13.75% |
| 2021 | $9.61 | 31.66% |
| 2022 | $12.56 | 30.66% |
| 2023 | $11.43 | -8.95% |
| 2024 | $11.14 | -2.62%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Gasoline, unleaded midgrade:
| Year | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 103.238 | 104.423 | 110.362 | 110.238 | 96.231 | 104.485 | 133.031 | 127.915 | 120.223 | 139.208 | 163.769 | 199.077 | 224.392 | 242.455 | 283.195 | 207.588 | 244.818 | 308.138 | 318.483 | 311.144 | 302.087 | 225.606 | 203.107 | 227.627 | 257.228 | 250.813 | 216.333 | 284.831 | 372.148 | 338.837 | 329.976 |