Gas prices remain unusually high heading into September, with American drivers paying more than $4 per gallon nationally and New Yorkers facing an average price above $4.30.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at about $4.15 over Labor Day weekend, according to AAA. That’s roughly 94 cents more than drivers were paying at the same time last year and the highest gas prices ever recorded nationally for the Labor Day period.
What are gas prices today?
The national average price for regular gasoline was approximately $4.15 per gallon as of early September.
In New York, gas prices were even higher.
The statewide average was approximately $4.31 per gallon, putting New York about 17 cents above the national average.
Premium gasoline averaged more than $5.20 per gallon in New York, while diesel was approaching $6 per gallon.
Those prices represent a major change from September 2025, when the national average for regular gasoline was around $3.20 per gallon.
For a driver filling a 15-gallon tank, the difference amounts to roughly $14 more per fill-up compared with a year ago.
Why are gas prices so high?
The biggest factor driving gas prices higher is crude oil.
Oil represents the largest component of what consumers ultimately pay for gasoline. When crude oil becomes more expensive, those increases typically work through refineries, wholesalers and eventually gas stations.
AAA said continued volatility involving the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices into the $90-per-barrel range.
That’s particularly important because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Disruptions or concerns about future supply can push global crude prices higher even if gasoline supplies inside the United States remain adequate.
The result has been an unusual summer for drivers.
Gas prices typically fluctuate during the summer travel season before beginning to decline as driving demand falls after Labor Day. But elevated crude oil costs have kept prices stubbornly high.
Gas prices set an August record
August 2026 was particularly expensive.
AAA reported that the national average remained above $4 per gallon throughout August — something that had never happened before.
The month was on pace to become the most expensive August ever recorded for gasoline, surpassing the previous record established during the energy-price spike of 2022.
Prices remained elevated into Labor Day weekend.
AAA said the national average had never previously been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day. The earlier Labor Day record was approximately $3.82 per gallon, set in 2012.
That means drivers are entering the traditional fall price decline from an unusually high starting point.
Will gas prices go down after Labor Day?
Under normal conditions, gas prices tend to fall during September and October.
There are several reasons.
Americans typically drive less after the summer vacation season ends, reducing gasoline demand. Refineries also begin transitioning to cheaper winter-blend gasoline in many parts of the country.
Those factors can produce noticeable declines at the pump.
But 2026 may not follow the normal pattern.
Crude oil prices remain the biggest wild card. If oil prices stay near or above $90 per barrel, the normal seasonal decline in gasoline prices could be limited.
If oil prices fall, drivers could see considerably more relief.
That means the direction of gas prices this fall will depend less on American driving habits and more on global energy markets.
Could gas prices reach $5 per gallon?
Some drivers are already paying close to $5 per gallon depending on location and fuel grade, but a $5 national average would require another significant increase.
The all-time national record for regular gasoline remains approximately $5.02 per gallon, reached in June 2022.
Current prices remain below that level, but the gap has narrowed substantially.
A national average near $4.15 means gasoline would have to climb another roughly 87 cents per gallon to break the previous record.
That isn’t the most likely scenario under current conditions, but another major surge in crude oil prices or significant supply disruption could quickly change the outlook.
Why are New York gas prices higher?
New York drivers typically pay more than the national average because of a combination of taxes, transportation costs, environmental requirements and regional fuel-market conditions.
The difference can also vary considerably within the state.
Gas stations near major highways and in areas with fewer competing retailers can charge significantly more than stations only a few miles away.
Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York and the Southern Tier can also see different prices depending on wholesale fuel costs and local competition.
That means the statewide average of roughly $4.31 doesn’t necessarily reflect what every New Yorker will pay.
Diesel prices are even higher
Gasoline isn’t the only fuel becoming more expensive.
Diesel prices have climbed sharply, with the national average approaching $5.90 per gallon in early September.
New York’s diesel average was also near $5.92.
Higher diesel prices can have broader economic consequences because diesel powers much of the nation’s trucking, agriculture and commercial transportation network.
When those costs rise, businesses may eventually pass some of the expense along through higher prices for goods and services.
That means rising fuel costs can affect consumers even if they don’t own a diesel vehicle.
How drivers can save money on gas
With gas prices above $4 in much of the country, relatively small differences between stations can add up.
Drivers can reduce fuel costs by comparing prices before filling up, combining errands, keeping tires properly inflated and avoiding unnecessary idling.
Gas rewards programs and credit card discounts can also reduce the effective price per gallon, although consumers should compare those savings against membership fees or other costs.
Another simple strategy is avoiding stations immediately adjacent to major highway exits when alternatives are nearby. Those locations sometimes charge a premium for convenience.
What’s next for gas prices?
The next several weeks will be important for determining whether drivers finally get meaningful relief.
Seasonal trends favor lower gas prices after Labor Day, but crude oil remains expensive enough to disrupt that normal pattern.
If global oil markets stabilize and gasoline demand declines as expected, prices could begin moving lower during September.
If geopolitical tensions intensify or crude oil prices climb further, however, gas prices could remain above $4 well into the fall — or move higher.
For New York drivers already paying an average of more than $4.30 per gallon, the direction of crude oil prices will likely determine whether the expensive summer at the pump finally comes to an end.
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