The national average price for regular gasoline hit a record high of $4.15 per gallon on Labor Day, surpassing previous highs by 10 cents from last month and nearly a dollar from last year. The increase is largely attributed to the ongoing war with Iran, which has caused energy supply shortages due to its impact on crude oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Diesel prices have reached an all-time high of $5.90 per gallon, affecting shipping costs as most trucks and vehicles used for goods transport require diesel fuel. California has the highest average gasoline price at $5.86 per gallon, while Texas has the lowest at $3.67.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Millions of Americans are facing higher gas prices this Labor Day weekend, with the average price of regular gas reaching $4.14 per gallon, nearly a dollar higher than last year and well above the previous record of $3.82 from 2012. The price hike is attributed to disruptions caused by the Iran War, which began in February, and resulting shortages in crude oil traffic through the key Strait of Hormuz. This has led to increased transportation costs being passed on to consumers, affecting not just gas prices but also package delivery services and grocery bills. Diesel prices have reached an all-time high of $5.90 per gallon. The higher gasoline prices are also impacting President Donald Trump's economic approval ratings, as the inflation and affordability concerns continue to affect the country. Despite the increases, gas prices are not yet nearing the all-time highs set in 2022 amid the worst inflation wave in generations. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has acknowledged that prices are higher now than Labor Day 2025 but offered few specifics on when drivers might see relief at the pump.
Written for “US Labor Day Travel Prices” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 6677 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
The national average price for regular gasoline set a record high for fuel costs on Labor Day, hitting $4.15 per gallon.
asserted
price → set → gallon
At $4.15 per gallon, gasoline is the highest it has ever been during the busy holiday weekend, which is one of the most popular weekends to travel all year, according to AAA.
uncertain
which → travel → AAA
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The spike in gasoline prices this year has been almost entirely driven by the war with Iran.
asserted
spike → drive → Iran
The war began in February and has caused energy supply shortages of crude coming through the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade chokepoint.
asserted
war → begin → Hormuz
Still, despite the increases, gas prices are not yet nearing the all-time highs notched back in 2022 amid the worst inflation wave in generations.
asserted
prices → near → generations
Regular gasoline hit an all-time high of over $5 in June 2022.
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gasoline → hit → June
But diesel prices have reached all-time highs this year.
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prices → reach → highs
Most trucks and vehicles used to ship goods and groceries require diesel, adding to the cost of shipping.
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trucks → use → shipping
The higher gasoline prices are also bad news for President Donald Trump, whose second term has been mired by falling economic approval ratings, in large part because of continuing trouble with inflation and affordability concerns.
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term → mire → inflation
Gas prices fell at the start of Trump’s second term, setting a five-year low at $2.79 per gallon in early January, but the start of the Iran war changed that.
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start → fall → that
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial trade waterway, and some 20% of global oil transits through the strait.
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% → transit → strait
Some states have lower gasoline prices than others.
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states → have → others
Texas has the lowest average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at $3.67 per gallon, while California has the highest at $5.86.
asserted
California → have → 5.86
