Gasoline, unleaded premium prices are 212.02% higher in 2026 versus 2002 (a $3.31 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $5.13 in August 2026 for Gasoline, unleaded premium, per gallon/3.785 liters. See observed price history.
Between 2002 and 2026, Gasoline, unleaded premium experienced an average inflation rate of 4.86% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, gasoline, unleaded premium costing $1.56 in the year 2002 would cost $4.87 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.58% during this same period, inflation for gasoline, unleaded premium was higher.
In the year 2002: Pricing changed by -5.81%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for gasoline, unleaded premium during the 2002-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2002 (1.59%), inflation for gasoline, unleaded premium was much lower.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of gasoline, unleaded premium rose 230%, from $1.56 per gallon in 2002 to $5.13 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 86% over the same period, so gasoline, unleaded premium 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 premium 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 premium, 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) | $4.83 | $4.83 |
| 2025 | $4.13 | $4.29 |
| 2024 | $4.27 | $4.56 |
| 2023 | $4.47 | $4.91 |
| 2022 | $4.86 | $5.57 |
| 2021 | $3.69 | $4.56 |
| 2020 | $2.79 | $3.61 |
| 2019 | $3.21 | $4.21 |
| 2018 | $3.27 | $4.36 |
| 2017 | $2.91 | $3.98 |
| 2016 | $2.61 | $3.64 |
| 2015 | $2.87 | $4.05 |
| 2014 | $3.71 | $5.25 |
| 2013 | $3.84 | $5.53 |
| 2012 | $3.92 | $5.72 |
| 2011 | $3.79 | $5.65 |
| 2010 | $3.05 | $4.68 |
| 2009 | $2.61 | $4.07 |
| 2008 | $3.52 | $5.48 |
| 2007 | $3.03 | $4.90 |
| 2006 | $2.81 | $4.66 |
| 2005 | $2.49 | $4.27 |
| 2004 | $2.07 | $3.67 |
| 2003 | $1.78 | $3.23 |
| 2002 | $1.56 | $2.90 |
| 2001 | $1.66 | $3.13 |
| 2000 | $1.69 | $3.29 |
| 1999 | $1.36 | $2.73 |
| 1998 | $1.25 | $2.57 |
| 1997 | $1.42 | $2.95 |
| 1996 | $1.41 | $3.02 |
| 1995 | $1.34 | $2.94 |
| 1994 | $1.30 | $2.95 |
| 1993 | $1.30 | $3.02 |
| 1992 | $1.32 | $3.14 |
| 1991 | $1.32 | $3.25 |
| 1990 | $1.35 | $3.46 |
| 1989 | $1.20 | $3.23 |
| 1988 | $1.11 | $3.13 |
| 1987 | $1.09 | $3.22 |
| 1986 | $1.08 | $3.32 |
| 1985 | $1.34 | $4.17 |
| 1984 | $1.37 | $4.40 |
| 1983 | $1.38 | $4.65 |
| 1982 | $1.42 | $4.91 |
| 1981 | $1.47 | $5.42 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Gasoline, unleaded premium, over time, for $1.56 beginning in 2002. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | $1.56 | -5.81% |
| 2003 | $1.80 | 15.09% |
| 2004 | $2.10 | 16.86% |
| 2005 | $2.53 | 20.69% |
| 2006 | $2.85 | 12.36% |
| 2007 | $3.07 | 7.97% |
| 2008 | $3.58 | 16.41% |
| 2009 | $2.65 | -25.84% |
| 2010 | $3.11 | 17.26% |
| 2011 | $3.88 | 24.89% |
| 2012 | $4.02 | 3.51% |
| 2013 | $3.94 | -1.92% |
| 2014 | $3.82 | -3.05% |
| 2015 | $2.94 | -23.12% |
| 2016 | $2.68 | -8.77% |
| 2017 | $3.00 | 11.76% |
| 2018 | $3.38 | 12.90% |
| 2019 | $3.32 | -1.82% |
| 2020 | $2.89 | -12.96% |
| 2021 | $3.73 | 28.99% |
| 2022 | $4.84 | 29.69% |
| 2023 | $4.46 | -7.74% |
| 2024 | $4.30 | -3.57% |
| 2025 | $4.15 | -3.60% |
| 2026 | $4.87 | 17.35%* |
* 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 premium:
| Year | 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 | 105.080 | 101.317 | 99.608 | 99.075 | 100.083 | 81.425 | 83.158 | 84.583 | 91.658 | 103.650 | 102.117 | 101.867 | 100.933 | 101.283 | 102.175 | 107.100 | 106.842 | 94.158 | 101.833 | 127.725 | 123.442 | 116.267 | 133.817 | 156.375 | 188.733 | 212.058 | 228.966 | 266.547 | 197.659 | 231.779 | 289.460 | 299.617 | 293.859 | 284.886 | 219.014 | 199.810 | 223.312 | 252.125 | 247.540 | 215.465 | 277.919 | 360.447 | 332.534 | 320.669 | 309.140 | 362.779 |