Gasoline prices across the United States have climbed to their highest level ever recorded ahead of a federal election, putting President Donald Trump’s energy policies under scrutiny just before the November 3 midterms. The surge follows months of disruption to global oil supplies caused by the war with Iran.
Trump had promised to bring gasoline prices below $2 a gallon during his 2024 presidential campaign. Instead, American drivers are facing sharply higher costs at the pump, while diesel prices have also reached record levels, adding pressure on transportation, agriculture and household budgets.
Gas Prices Climb Above $4 as the Iran War Disrupts Oil Supplies
The national average price of regular gasoline reached $4.20 per gallon on October 30, nearly 40% higher than a year earlier. Diesel averaged $6.32, representing an increase of about 70% over the same period.
According to CNBC, citing petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy, gasoline and diesel prices are expected to reach their highest levels ever recorded on a U.S. election day.
The increase stands in contrast to prices at the beginning of Trump’s second term. Regular gasoline averaged $3.12 per gallon in January 2025 and had fallen to $2.98 immediately before the war with Iran began.
Fuel costs rose after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by attacking tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting shipments through one of the world’s most important oil transportation routes.
Although exports through the strait recovered somewhat during the summer, attacks on Saudi Arabian refineries by Houthi rebels and Ukrainian strikes against Russian refineries added further pressure to global energy supplies.
Diesel has become a particular concern because of its importance to freight transportation and agriculture. Higher fuel costs have also affected airlines, which have increased fares to cover rising jet fuel expenses.
The White House has defended its energy record, arguing that gasoline prices adjusted for inflation were higher around some previous elections.
Higher Fuel Costs Put Pressure on Drivers and Republican Candidates
The effects of rising prices are particularly visible in Texas, where residents depend heavily on cars for daily transportation.
According to The Guardian citing AAA, regular gasoline in Texas now averages $3.68 per gallon, compared with $2.59 a year earlier. Diesel prices have increased from $3.18 to $5.79.
Some motorists are adjusting their spending habits. At a Dallas gas station, employee Alina Cardenas reported that customers increasingly purchase only $10 or $20 worth of gasoline rather than filling their tanks.
Another Texas driver, identified as Tom L, said his monthly gasoline expenses had doubled to approximately $400. He also spends around $200 weekly on diesel for his farm truck.
The issue has become politically significant ahead of the midterms, with Republicans facing voter frustration over living costs.
The administration has taken several measures to address the pressure. Trump authorized the use of tax-exempt off-road diesel on highways and announced an $8 billion relief program for farmers affected by high fuel prices.
According to Reuters, inflation has outpaced wage growth in recent months, further tightening household budgets despite continued economic growth.
Gasoline prices remain a particularly visible expense for voters. Tom Seng, a professor of energy finance at Texas Christian University, said drivers are likely to encounter fuel prices shortly before reaching their polling places.
