Trump gas prices now top Biden-era average

Trump-era gasoline prices surpass Biden average

Average U.S. gasoline prices under President Donald Trump’s current term have now risen slightly above those seen during Joe Biden’s presidency. According to the American Automobile Association, almost two years into Trump’s term the retail cost of gasoline has averaged $3.472 a gallon, compared with an average of $3.471 a gallon during the Biden administration.

The latest figures arrive ahead of midterm elections and contrast with Trump’s criticism of Biden over fuel costs. Analysts describe the shift as striking given earlier expectations that gasoline would remain comparatively cheap.

Current price levels and recent spikes

Beyond long-term averages, motorists are facing significantly higher daily prices than earlier in Trump’s term. The national average for regular gasoline stood at $4.29 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA data. That is up from $2.98 before the Iran war began nearly eight months earlier and about $1.22 higher than a year ago. The rise has reversed a period at the start of the year when gas prices were safely below $3 a gallon and the market was worried about a supply glut.

The recent run-up follows an earlier spike under Biden, when gasoline reached a record national average of $5.02 a gallon in June 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Prices then retreated, but 2026 has already recorded the most days with national averages at $4 a gallon or higher compared with any year in the Biden period. Energy analysts say the present environment reflects fresh strains rather than a simple continuation of prior trends.

Drivers of the latest fuel surge

The current increase in fuel prices has been driven by instability in the Middle East, disruptions to oil shipments and refinery production, and elevated shipping costs. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has partly recovered, but alternative shipping routes have made it more expensive to move crude oil. At the same time, the world is contending with a shortage of refining capacity, and refiners are running hard to capitalize on strong margins instead of scaling back for routine maintenance.

Diesel markets are under particular strain. U.S. diesel futures have surged above $5 a gallon, and the national average price for diesel stood at $6.35 a gallon on Monday after surpassing $6 last month. These elevated diesel costs add pressure on farmers, truckers, and consumers, compounding broader affordability concerns as transportation and logistics expenses filter through the economy.

Trump administration response and political stakes

The Trump administration has introduced several measures intended to ease fuel prices. These include releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to boost supply, temporarily waiving the Jones Act to facilitate shipments between U.S. ports, and allowing red-dyed diesel, normally reserved for off-road use, to be used on highways. A White House spokesperson said the administration is also taking steps to increase U.S. refining capacity as a longer-term remedy.

Trump has argued that higher fuel costs must be viewed in the context of foreign policy objectives, including efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He has also said that gasoline prices will decline after the midterm elections. Nonetheless, the rise in gas and diesel prices has angered voters who had expected lower costs, and polling data indicate significant disapproval of Trump’s handling of gasoline prices.