U.S. gasoline averages a record $4.31 for October as diesel stays near all-time high

U.S. gasoline and diesel prices set records for an October, though neither fuel beat its all-time high.

Regular gasoline averaged $4.31 a gallon last month, above the previous October record of $3.82 set in 2022. That is 41% more than in October 2025.

AAA said in late October that the month was on track to be the priciest October for drivers, after record months in August and September. It was also the first October with a national average above $4 a gallon.

Diesel averaged $6.25 a gallon, the highest October on record, well above the $5.21 of October 2022. Only September, at $6.29, was a more expensive month.

The two fuels moved in opposite directions through the month, in the Energy Information Administration's weekly gasoline and diesel surveys (dollars per gallon):

Gasoline eased as stations moved to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to make. Crude oil close to $100 a barrel kept the decline small, AAA says.

Diesel stayed high because Ukrainian drones keep hitting Russian refineries, and both Russia and China have curbed their fuel exports, CNN reports. U.S. diesel stocks have never been this low for the time of year, just as harvest and the heating season both start.

Neither fuel set an all-time record in October. AAA's record for regular gasoline is $5.02, from June 14, 2022, and this year's peak came in May. Diesel's record of $6.53 was set on September 22.

Bloomberg notes that gasoline is still cheaper than in 2022 once inflation is taken into account.

Prices have kept falling in November, though AAA said on November 5 they are still the highest on record for this time of year. Regular cost $4.01 a gallon on Monday, down from $4.37 a month earlier. Diesel was $6.17.

Oil fell further on Monday after President Donald Trump played down the chance of new strikes on Iran. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 4% and Brent 4.6%, as of 8:07 a.m. ET. October's consumer price data is due on Tuesday.

Sources & Further Reading

1. "U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices." U.S. Energy Information Administration. November 3, 2026.
2. "National Average Falls 6 Cents, But Crude Oil Nears $100/Barrel." AAA. October 22, 2026.
3. "Pump Prices Remain at Record Highs for Autumn." AAA. October 8, 2026.
4. "U.S. No 2 Diesel Retail Prices." U.S. Energy Information Administration. November 3, 2026.
5. "Weekly U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices." U.S. Energy Information Administration. November 3, 2026.
6. "Weekly U.S. No 2 Diesel Retail Prices." U.S. Energy Information Administration. November 3, 2026.
7. "If the Strait of Hormuz Is Open, Why Are Gas and Diesel So Expensive?" CNN. October 9, 2026.
8. "US Gas Prices Rise Above $4 for the First Time on Election Day." Bloomberg. November 3, 2026.
9. "AAA Gas Prices: National Average." AAA. November 9, 2026.
10. "National Average Falls 12 Cents in One Week." AAA. November 5, 2026.
11. "Gold Gains as Lower Oil Prices Temper Inflation Fears; US Inflation in Focus." CNBC. November 9, 2026.