According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for motor fuel are 259.95% higher in 2026 versus 1986 (a $51.99 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2026:Motor fuel experienced an average inflation rate of 3.25% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, motor fuel costing $20 in the year 1986 would cost $71.99 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.75% during this same period, inflation for motor fuel was higher.
In the year 1986: Pricing changed by -21.86%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for motor fuel during the 1986-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1986 (1.90%), inflation for motor fuel was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Motor fuel, over time, for $20 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $20.00 | -21.86% |
| 1987 | $20.81 | 4.05% |
| 1988 | $20.98 | 0.82% |
| 1989 | $22.96 | 9.44% |
| 1990 | $26.25 | 14.30% |
| 1991 | $25.78 | -1.75% |
| 1992 | $25.69 | -0.38% |
| 1993 | $25.42 | -1.04% |
| 1994 | $25.54 | 0.49% |
| 1995 | $25.93 | 1.51% |
| 1996 | $27.57 | 6.32% |
| 1997 | $27.56 | -0.05% |
| 1998 | $23.91 | -13.23% |
| 1999 | $26.12 | 9.27% |
| 2000 | $33.55 | 28.42% |
| 2001 | $32.35 | -3.58% |
| 2002 | $30.25 | -6.49% |
| 2003 | $35.22 | 16.42% |
| 2004 | $41.60 | 18.14% |
| 2005 | $50.76 | 22.00% |
| 2006 | $57.34 | 12.96% |
| 2007 | $62.02 | 8.16% |
| 2008 | $72.54 | 16.97% |
| 2009 | $52.39 | -27.78% |
| 2010 | $62.04 | 18.42% |
| 2011 | $78.50 | 26.52% |
| 2012 | $81.10 | 3.32% |
| 2013 | $78.82 | -2.82% |
| 2014 | $75.86 | -3.76% |
| 2015 | $55.27 | -27.14% |
| 2016 | $48.87 | -11.58% |
| 2017 | $55.18 | 12.92% |
| 2018 | $62.74 | 13.70% |
| 2019 | $60.50 | -3.57% |
| 2020 | $50.65 | -16.29% |
| 2021 | $68.76 | 35.77% |
| 2022 | $90.86 | 32.13% |
| 2023 | $81.26 | -10.56% |
| 2024 | $76.96 | -5.29% |
| 2025 | $73.20 | -4.89% |
| 2026 | $71.99 | -1.65%* |
* 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 Motor fuel:
| Year | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 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 | 13.130 | 13.550 | 14.208 | 13.858 | 12.942 | 12.733 | 13.308 | 14.075 | 14.250 | 14.300 | 14.250 | 14.508 | 16.267 | 18.467 | 19.100 | 18.900 | 19.458 | 20.033 | 21.042 | 21.775 | 22.017 | 22.767 | 23.767 | 23.433 | 23.717 | 24.408 | 24.150 | 24.292 | 24.225 | 24.100 | 24.783 | 25.517 | 26.383 | 26.783 | 27.667 | 27.883 | 28.067 | 28.417 | 31.167 | 42.233 | 45.100 | 46.975 | 49.692 | 51.808 | 70.133 | 97.425 | 108.458 | 102.800 | 99.375 | 97.833 | 98.667 | 77.100 | 80.225 | 80.883 | 88.517 | 101.175 | 99.400 | 99.025 | 97.992 | 98.475 | 99.967 | 106.283 | 106.225 | 92.167 | 100.708 | 129.333 | 124.700 | 116.608 | 135.758 | 160.383 | 195.667 | 221.033 | 239.070 | 279.652 | 201.978 | 239.178 | 302.619 | 312.660 | 303.849 | 292.435 | 213.062 | 188.389 | 212.721 | 241.861 | 233.234 | 195.242 | 265.083 | 350.261 | 313.257 | 296.674 | 282.168 | 277.520 |