Gasolina fecha o agosto mais caro da série da AAA, com média nacional de US$ 4,11

The national average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States was $4.1092 on Friday (21), according to the daily AAA survey. On the same day in 2025, a gallon cost $3.1372. The difference is 97 cents per gallon, a 31% increase in twelve months.

On Thursday (20), AAA recorded US$ 4.10 and classified the value as the highest ever measured by the entity for that calendar date. The average for the month so far, US$ 4.06, surpassed that of August 2022—US$ 3.97—which was the most expensive August in the series.

Today's price and the price a year ago.

AAA's numbers show a short-term and a long-term movement. In the short term, the increase is modest: $4.1044 on Thursday, $4.0776 a week earlier, and $4.0190 a month earlier. Over the one-year period, the jump is significant.

The entity also measures the cost of public electricity charging, which remained stable at 42 cents per kilowatt-hour last week.

The most expensive August since AAA started measuring.

IBTimes UK found that, as of August 18, the country had accumulated 103 days in 2026 with a national average price of $4 or higher—46% of the year. Patrick De Haan, head of oil analysis at GasBuddy, summarized the unprecedented nature of the situation: the average had never been above $4 so late in the year.

The point of reference for what changed is February 26th of this year, when a gallon cost US$2.98, before the attacks on Iran.

Hormuz locked in holds the oil.

AAA attributes this week's rise to oil, which remains in the US$80 per barrel range due to instability in the Strait of Hormuz. On August 12, Brent crude for October delivery was trading at US$89.53, according to Al Jazeera, up 24% since the end of February.

The strait accounted for about a fifth of the world's oil consumption, with approximately 20 million barrels of oil and refined products passing through daily. Traffic plummeted: from about 130 ships per day before the war to 10 on a single Monday in August.

"Markets haven't completely lost hope of a deal, but confidence is clearly eroding," Tim Waterer, an analyst at KCM Trade, told Al Jazeera. June Goh of Sparta Commodities assessed that the price of a barrel will remain stable between $85 and $90 until there is new information about the reopening.

From California to Texas: the distance between the states

The AAA price list from August 21 shows a difference of almost two dollars per gallon between the extremes of the country. California had the most expensive gallon, at US$5.5928, followed by Hawaii (US$5.4338) and Washington state (US$5.2529). In Colorado, the average was US$4.4972.

At the other extreme, Texas recorded US$3.6498, Mississippi US$3.6662, and Louisiana US$3.7013—all below the national average.

Diesel at $5.58 enters the market.

Diesel fuel has its own trajectory and a broader impact. The national average was $5.5764 per gallon on August 21, compared to $6.3122 in Washington state and $5.5873 in Colorado, according to AAA data. Since cargo trucks run on diesel, freight prices follow suit—and end up on supermarket shelves.

The Energy Department's projection, cited by IBTimes UK, keeps diesel prices close to $5 until December.

How much does that take out of the budget of someone who drives every day?

A simple calculation helps to put it into perspective. For a car that gets 25 miles per gallon and travels 1,000 miles per month—the routine of someone who works in cleaning, construction, delivery, or caregiving and crosses the metropolitan area several times a day—that's 40 gallons per month.

With the 97-cent increase per gallon compared to August 2025, this means about $39 more per month, or close to $470 per year, just on fuel, maintaining the same commuting pattern. Those who drive larger vehicles or travel more distances spend proportionally more.

What the official projection indicates until December

The Department of Energy projects average prices around $4 per gallon in the current quarter and a drop to $3.72 in the last quarter of 2026, a level still above normal for this time of year. Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at Gulf Oil, estimates prices between $3.60 and $3.90 in the fall, which would be the highest value ever seen at this time of year.

AAA notes that gasoline demand falls at this time of year, with the return to school and the end of summer travel. This year, the drop in demand was not enough to bring down the price, because the cost of a barrel of oil is pulling in the opposite direction.

What can be done now?

Given a state price difference exceeding US$1.80 per gallon, filling up on the correct side of the border makes a real difference for those traveling between states. Within the same city, comparing gas stations before filling up also has a measurable effect, as the state average masks variations by neighborhood.

For those who rely on their car for work, it's worth tracking monthly fuel expenses and comparing them to last year's before finalizing service quotes or accepting rides at the old price. The 31% increase in twelve months erodes the margin that many still calculate based on 2025 prices.