Gasoline, unleaded regular prices are 19.76% higher in 2026 versus 2008 (a $0.65 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $4.48 in September 2026 for Gasoline, unleaded regular, per gallon/3.785 liters. See observed price history.
Between 2008 and 2026, Gasoline, unleaded regular experienced an average inflation rate of 1.01% per year. In other words, gasoline, unleaded regular costing $3.27 in the year 2008 would cost $3.92 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.44% during this same period, inflation for gasoline, unleaded regular was lower.
In the year 2008: Pricing changed by 16.57%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for gasoline, unleaded regular during the 2008-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2008 (3.84%), inflation for gasoline, unleaded regular was much higher.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of gasoline, unleaded regular rose 37%, from $3.27 per gallon in 2008 to $4.48 in September 2026. Overall prices rose 56% over the same period, so gasoline, unleaded regular rose more slowly than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for gasoline, unleaded regular is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of gasoline, unleaded regular, per gallon/3.785 liters each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per gallon) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $3.97 | $3.97 |
| 2025 | $3.26 | $3.41 |
| 2024 | $3.45 | $3.71 |
| 2023 | $3.66 | $4.04 |
| 2022 | $4.09 | $4.71 |
| 2021 | $3.05 | $3.79 |
| 2020 | $2.17 | $2.83 |
| 2019 | $2.64 | $3.47 |
| 2018 | $2.74 | $3.67 |
| 2017 | $2.41 | $3.31 |
| 2016 | $2.14 | $3.01 |
| 2015 | $2.45 | $3.48 |
| 2014 | $3.37 | $4.79 |
| 2013 | $3.53 | $5.10 |
| 2012 | $3.64 | $5.35 |
| 2011 | $3.53 | $5.28 |
| 2010 | $2.79 | $4.31 |
| 2009 | $2.35 | $3.69 |
| 2008 | $3.27 | $5.11 |
| 2007 | $2.80 | $4.55 |
| 2006 | $2.59 | $4.33 |
| 2005 | $2.30 | $3.96 |
| 2004 | $1.88 | $3.35 |
| 2003 | $1.59 | $2.91 |
| 2002 | $1.36 | $2.54 |
| 2001 | $1.46 | $2.78 |
| 2000 | $1.51 | $2.95 |
| 1999 | $1.17 | $2.36 |
| 1998 | $1.06 | $2.19 |
| 1997 | $1.23 | $2.59 |
| 1996 | $1.23 | $2.64 |
| 1995 | $1.15 | $2.54 |
| 1994 | $1.11 | $2.53 |
| 1993 | $1.11 | $2.58 |
| 1992 | $1.13 | $2.71 |
| 1991 | $1.14 | $2.82 |
| 1990 | $1.16 | $3.00 |
| 1989 | $1.02 | $2.78 |
| 1988 | $0.95 | $2.69 |
| 1987 | $0.95 | $2.81 |
| 1986 | $0.93 | $2.85 |
| 1985 | $1.20 | $3.76 |
| 1984 | $1.21 | $3.93 |
| 1983 | $1.24 | $4.20 |
| 1982 | $1.30 | $4.52 |
| 1981 | $1.38 | $5.11 |
| 1980 | $1.25 | $5.09 |
| 1979 | $0.90 | $4.19 |
| 1978 | $0.67 | $3.46 |
| 1977 | $0.66 | $3.65 |
| 1976 | $0.61 | $3.64 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through September. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded regular, over time, for $3.27 beginning in 2008. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $3.27 | 16.57% |
| 2009 | $2.36 | -27.78% |
| 2010 | $2.80 | 18.66% |
| 2011 | $3.55 | 26.80% |
| 2012 | $3.67 | 3.19% |
| 2013 | $3.55 | -3.12% |
| 2014 | $3.41 | -4.04% |
| 2015 | $2.46 | -27.88% |
| 2016 | $2.16 | -12.05% |
| 2017 | $2.45 | 13.08% |
| 2018 | $2.78 | 13.71% |
| 2019 | $2.67 | -3.84% |
| 2020 | $2.22 | -16.85% |
| 2021 | $3.05 | 37.16% |
| 2022 | $4.03 | 32.02% |
| 2023 | $3.59 | -10.78% |
| 2024 | $3.40 | -5.29% |
| 2025 | $3.19 | -6.14% |
| 2026 | $3.92 | 22.65%* |
* 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 regular:
| Year | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 46.625 | 49.825 | 52.250 | 70.492 | 97.450 | 108.567 | 102.742 | 99.425 | 97.808 | 98.808 | 76.392 | 79.250 | 79.550 | 86.542 | 98.925 | 97.242 | 96.808 | 95.200 | 95.767 | 97.517 | 103.867 | 103.792 | 89.150 | 97.967 | 127.258 | 122.608 | 114.358 | 133.950 | 158.867 | 194.367 | 219.983 | 238.151 | 277.607 | 200.479 | 237.888 | 301.650 | 311.274 | 301.569 | 289.398 | 208.711 | 183.571 | 207.579 | 236.040 | 226.973 | 188.739 | 258.872 | 341.765 | 304.937 | 288.798 | 271.074 | 332.473 |