U.S. Gasoline Prices Hit Record August High of $4.10

The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached a historic high for August 20 at $4.10 on August 20, 2026. This peak follows a steady climb throughout the week, with prices increasing in 36 states. The current average is nearly $1 higher than the same date last year and surpasses the previous mid-August record of $3.93 set in 2022.

AAA reports that while seasonal gasoline demand is typically down during this period, crude oil prices—which have fluctuated between $80 and $90 per barrel—are driving the average upward. These costs are fueled by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which restricts approximately 20% of the world's oil and refined products, as well as Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. The broader geopolitical conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to exert upward pressure on the market.

Regional price disparities remain significant. California maintains the highest costs in the nation, averaging $5.58 per gallon, while Indiana reports a lower average of $3.56. In the Midwest, Illinois saw a ten-cent increase over the past week to reach a statewide average of $4.36. Despite U.S. crude production remaining near record highs at 13.81 million barrels per day, global volatility is offsetting domestic supply gains.