U.S. Gasoline Average Falls, Remains Highest for This Time of Year

The U.S. national average for regular gasoline fell to $4.3612 per gallon on Oct. 8, but remained the highest recorded for this time of year as demand and motor-gasoline inventories increased.

The average declined from $4.4137 a week earlier. The year-ago national average was $3.1156. October 2026 was the first October with a national average above $4 per gallon.

Gasoline demand rose to 8.769 million barrels per day for the week ending Oct. 2, up from 8.689 million barrels per day a week earlier. U.S. motor-gasoline inventories increased to 204.744 million barrels from 204.362 million barrels on Sept. 25.

Finished gasoline production declined to 9.349 million barrels per day from 9.466 million barrels per day. Commercial crude-oil inventories, excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, stood at 424.134 million barrels on Oct. 2.

State averages ranged from $3.71 to $6.34 per gallon. California was listed at $6.34 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.63 and Washington at $5.46. Ohio had the lowest listed average at $3.71, followed by Indiana at $3.72 and Georgia at $3.84.

Retail figures measure pump prices, while weekly petroleum data measure fuel demand, production and inventories. The latest figures showed demand and gasoline inventories rising even as finished gasoline production declined.