It’s been a while since we’ve taken a look at nationwide gas prices, but what better time than just before the definitive long holiday weekend to cap off the summer. Unfortunately, if you’re planning a road trip this Labor Day, it’ll take more of your labor to do it. The price of gasoline isn’t quite at the level we saw in May, but it’s not far off.
And it looks like it’s only getting more expensive.
Gas Is $1 More Than This Time Last Year
Porsche 911 Dakar Road Trip Porsche
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.14 today, according to data from AAA. That’s two pennies more than yesterday, six cents more than a week ago, and a dollar more than it was this time last year.
As always, the price varies massively depending on what state you’re in, but which state is cheapest is far from consistent. Right now, the cheapest gas in the country is in Indiana, where the statewide average is $3.45. That’s shockingly close to the price from a year ago, where it was $3.22. Texas has the second-cheapest gas at $3.70 per gallon, but that’s nearly $1 more than the same day a year ago.
The states with the priciest gas are California, Washington, and Hawaii, which are all well over $5 a gallon. California’s is the highest at $5.78, which is $1.28 more than it was for Labor Day 2025.
Will This September Be The Most Expensive Ever?
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If you’re shopping for diesel, or buying just about anything, we’ve got even worse news. The current average price is $5.78 per gallon. That is 16 cents more than a week ago, and it’s just four cents away from an all-time record high. This day last year, diesel was $3.70. Considering how many diesel pickup trucks are on the road in America – and the number of them towing campers or boats for one last summertime hurrah this weekend – it’s going to be a major expense just reaching those destinations.
Diesel is the most expensive in California, at $7.60 per gallon. Hawaii is next at $7.00, and Washington State at $6.72. From there it’s a massive jump to Nevada at $6.08. The cheapest diesel is in Oklahoma where it runs $5.33/gallon.
According to AAA, August 2026 was the most expensive August for fuel ever. It was the first time the price stayed above $4 for the entire month, and it is significantly higher than in 2022, when regular unleaded hit its all-time US high of just over $5 per gallon.
Despite that, drivers are still driving heading into the long weekend. Demand has been increasing, reaching 9.04 million barrels per day, while total supply fell from 209.4 million to 206.8 million barrels. WTI crude oil prices have climbed $10 per barrel since August 28, and while that doesn’t immediately or directly impact fuel prices, gas and diesel usually follow.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
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The September long weekend isn’t exactly the biggest for road trips, but it’s definitely on the list. That makes end of summer travel significantly more expensive than any other year. Still, at least it will be cheaper than your Memorial Day long-weekend drive. Suddenly, 20 minutes to charge your EV along the way doesn’t sound so bad.
In a normal year, prices stay largely flat or decrease slightly heading into winter. With the current conflict with Iran and closures in the Strait of Hormuz, this year is anything but normal. What comes next is anybody’s guess.
Source: AAA
