Gasoline, unleaded midgrade prices are 164.63% higher in 2026 versus 2003 (a $2.78 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $4.69 in August 2026 for Gasoline, unleaded midgrade, per gallon/3.785 liters. See observed price history.
Between 2003 and 2026, Gasoline, unleaded midgrade experienced an average inflation rate of 4.32% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded midgrade costing $1.69 in the year 2003 would cost $4.47 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.60% during this same period, inflation for gasoline, unleaded midgrade was higher.
In the year 2003: Pricing changed by 15.79%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for gasoline, unleaded midgrade during the 2003-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2003 (2.27%), inflation for gasoline, unleaded midgrade was much higher.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of gasoline, unleaded midgrade rose 178%, from $1.69 per gallon in 2003 to $4.69 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 82% over the same period, so gasoline, unleaded midgrade rose faster 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 midgrade 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 midgrade, 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) | $4.39 | $4.39 |
| 2025 | $3.71 | $3.86 |
| 2024 | $3.87 | $4.14 |
| 2023 | $4.07 | $4.48 |
| 2022 | $4.43 | $5.07 |
| 2021 | $3.40 | $4.20 |
| 2020 | $2.52 | $3.26 |
| 2019 | $2.96 | $3.88 |
| 2018 | $3.03 | $4.04 |
| 2017 | $2.69 | $3.68 |
| 2016 | $2.40 | $3.35 |
| 2015 | $2.69 | $3.80 |
| 2014 | $3.55 | $5.03 |
| 2013 | $3.68 | $5.30 |
| 2012 | $3.77 | $5.50 |
| 2011 | $3.66 | $5.44 |
| 2010 | $2.91 | $4.47 |
| 2009 | $2.47 | $3.86 |
| 2008 | $3.38 | $5.26 |
| 2007 | $2.91 | $4.70 |
| 2006 | $2.69 | $4.47 |
| 2005 | $2.39 | $4.10 |
| 2004 | $1.98 | $3.51 |
| 2003 | $1.69 | $3.07 |
| 2002 | $1.47 | $2.74 |
| 2001 | $1.58 | $2.98 |
| 2000 | $1.60 | $3.12 |
| 1999 | $1.26 | $2.54 |
| 1998 | $1.16 | $2.38 |
| 1997 | $1.33 | $2.77 |
| 1996 | $1.32 | $2.83 |
| 1995 | $1.24 | $2.73 |
| 1994 | $1.22 | $2.76 |
| 1993 | $1.19 | $2.75 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded midgrade, over time, for $1.69 beginning in 2003. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | $1.69 | 15.79% |
| 2004 | $1.99 | 17.64% |
| 2005 | $2.42 | 21.56% |
| 2006 | $2.72 | 12.72% |
| 2007 | $2.94 | 8.05% |
| 2008 | $3.44 | 16.80% |
| 2009 | $2.52 | -26.70% |
| 2010 | $2.97 | 17.93% |
| 2011 | $3.74 | 25.86% |
| 2012 | $3.87 | 3.36% |
| 2013 | $3.78 | -2.30% |
| 2014 | $3.67 | -2.91% |
| 2015 | $2.74 | -25.32% |
| 2016 | $2.47 | -9.97% |
| 2017 | $2.76 | 12.07% |
| 2018 | $3.12 | 13.00% |
| 2019 | $3.04 | -2.49% |
| 2020 | $2.63 | -13.75% |
| 2021 | $3.46 | 31.66% |
| 2022 | $4.52 | 30.66% |
| 2023 | $4.11 | -8.95% |
| 2024 | $3.95 | -3.92% |
| 2025 | $3.77 | -4.56% |
| 2026 | $4.47 | 18.56%* |
* 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 103.242 | 104.425 | 110.358 | 110.242 | 96.233 | 104.483 | 133.033 | 127.917 | 120.225 | 139.208 | 163.767 | 199.075 | 224.392 | 242.455 | 283.195 | 207.588 | 244.818 | 308.137 | 318.483 | 311.144 | 302.087 | 225.606 | 203.107 | 227.627 | 257.228 | 250.813 | 216.333 | 284.831 | 372.148 | 338.837 | 325.546 | 310.713 | 368.387 |