Gasoline prices across the United States continued to climb this week, with the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel reaching $4.44 on Thursday, Sept. 17, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
National Trends
The $4.44 average marks an increase from $4.37 the day before and $4.28 a week earlier, indicating a steady upward trajectory since the start of the conflict in Iran more than six months ago. The highest national average recorded during the recent surge was $5.02 on Monday, Sept. 14. Compared with the same date a year ago, Thursday’s price is more than $1.20 higher.
These figures come as the United States approaches its midterm elections, turning fuel costs into a prominent issue for the incumbent administration. The rise in prices has been noted as a sore spot for the Trump administration, which is facing heightened scrutiny from voters concerned about household expenses.
State and Regional Differences
State-level data shows that California remains the most expensive market, with an average price of $6.09 per gallon on Sept. 17. Washington and Nevada follow, posting averages of $5.58 and $5.19 respectively. Other states that traditionally see higher prices—Alaska and Hawaii—averaged $5.07 and $5.48 on the same day.
Even without California, the West Coast region continues to post the highest average prices in the country. The Rocky Mountain region ranks second, while the Central Atlantic region occupies the third spot. All three regions reported increases of more than $1 per gallon compared with the same date last year, Sept. 14.
Political Response
President Donald Trump addressed the growing concern over fuel costs at a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Sept. 16. He told the audience, “It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done. Remember that.” He added, “It’s a little more. Frankly, even if it was a lot more, but that’s going to come tumbling down.” The remarks were intended to reassure voters that the current price levels are temporary and that future declines are expected.
The president’s comments came amid reports that the price surge is linked to broader geopolitical tensions, specifically the ongoing war in Iran that began more than half a year ago. While the source article does not detail the mechanisms behind the price rise, the timing suggests that supply chain disruptions and market volatility related to the conflict are influencing domestic fuel costs.
Analysts note that the combination of higher wholesale prices, regional tax structures, and seasonal demand spikes are contributing to the current price environment. The data from AAA and the EIA, which track both retail and wholesale trends, underscore the breadth of the increase, affecting consumers from the Pacific Northwest to the Atlantic seaboard.
As the midterm elections approach, the administration’s handling of the fuel price issue is likely to remain a focal point for voters, especially in states where gasoline costs exceed $5 per gallon. The continued rise in prices, coupled with political rhetoric promising a future decline, sets the stage for a contentious debate over energy policy and economic stewardship.
All price figures referenced are for one gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline. The information was contributed by Fernando Cervantes Jr. of USA TODAY.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
