Gas Prices Slip Again, but October Is Still the Priciest on Record
The short version: Gas got a little cheaper again this week, the third drop in a row. The national average for regular slipped to $4.33 a gallon in the government’s Monday survey, down from $4.35 a week earlier and about 15 cents below the September 21 peak. That’s real relief, but a small one. Drivers are still paying about $1.27 a gallon more than they were this time last year.
If you filled up in mid-September, you probably felt it. Prices climbed 41 cents in three weeks, from $4.07 at the end of August to $4.48 on September 21, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Since then they’ve been drifting down, and the pace slowed this week to just over 2 cents.
U.S. average price of regular gasoline, weekly. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, retail price survey, week of Oct. 12, 2026. Chart by FuelPriceScout.
Still a record for October
Here’s the part that stings. AAA says pump prices are the highest they’ve ever been for this time of year, and 2026 is the first year the national average has stayed above $4 into October. For comparison, the EIA’s average for the same week last year was $3.06. Back in January, regular cost $2.78.
Crude oil is the main reason. The U.S. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, was trading in the mid-$90s per barrel in early October, based on EIA daily prices, and crude makes up roughly half of what you pay for a gallon.
Where prices moved this week
Most of the country saw small declines, but not everywhere. Texas fell almost 10 cents and remains one of the cheapest places to fill up. California dropped 12 cents, though at $6.10 it’s still the most expensive state in the EIA’s survey. Colorado went the other way, jumping more than 15 cents in a single week.
| State (EIA survey) | Regular, Oct. 12 | Change in a week |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $3.78 | -9.5¢ |
| Ohio | $3.87 | +4.1¢ |
| Florida | $3.98 | +1.2¢ |
| Colorado | $4.17 | +15.5¢ |
| Minnesota | $4.18 | -1.6¢ |
| Massachusetts | $4.26 | -4.4¢ |
| New York | $4.35 | -2.7¢ |
| Washington | $5.38 | -4.7¢ |
| California | $6.10 | -12.3¢ |
The EIA publishes weekly averages for nine states plus regional averages. For every state, see cheapest gas by state.
Diesel barely moved. The national average was $6.18, down 2 cents. Truckers and anyone driving a diesel pickup are still paying close to $2 a gallon more than for regular.
What I’d do this week
- Don’t rush to top off. Prices are drifting down, not jumping. If your tank is half full, there’s no reason to fill it today out of fear.
- In Colorado, fill up sooner rather than later. Prices there were rising when most of the country was falling. A one-week jump like that doesn’t always reverse quickly.
- Use the cheap days. In most states, Sunday and Monday tend to be the cheapest days and Wednesday through Friday the priciest, according to GasBuddy’s 2026 study. Here’s what the data says about the best day to buy gas.
- Stack a discount. At $4.33 a gallon, 10 cents off through a grocery or gas rewards program saves about $1.50 on a 15-gallon fill-up. It adds up over a month.
- Price your next trip now. Thanksgiving is six weeks away. The gas trip cost calculator uses your car’s official mileage and this week’s prices.
What to watch next week
The next EIA price survey comes out Monday. If crude stays in the $90s, expect prices to keep easing slowly rather than fall fast. A sharp move in oil either way would show up at the pump within a week or two. You can always check the latest numbers on gas prices this week, which update automatically when the EIA publishes.
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (week of Oct. 12, 2026) and EIA spot prices; AAA, Oct. 8, 2026. Prices are averages for regular gasoline including taxes. Your local station may be higher or lower.