Updated automatically
Cost of Driving Report
What it costs to fuel, buy, fix, and finance a vehicle in the U.S. right now, pulled straight from government data and refreshed as each new release comes out.
This month’s takeaways
- Regular gas averaged $4.35 a gallon in the week of Oct 5, 2026, 123 cents higher than a year earlier.
- Repair and service rose 5.2% in the year through August 2026, the fastest increase among the ownership costs we track. Overall inflation was +3.4% over the same period.
- Banks charged an average of 7.47% on 48-month new car loans as of August 2026.
Fuel prices
Weekly national averages. Your local price will vary by state, station, and brand.
$4.35/ gallon
+39.4% vs. a year agoNational average retail price per gallon, all formulations.
Week of Oct 5, 2026.View data table
| Week of | Price per gallon | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 5, 2026 | $4.35 | +39.4% |
| Sep 28, 2026 | $4.47 | +43.2% |
| Sep 21, 2026 | $4.48 | +41.1% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | $4.32 | +36.3% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | $4.16 | +30.2% |
| Aug 31, 2026 | $4.07 | +28.1% |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $4.09 | +29.8% |
| Aug 17, 2026 | $4.05 | +29.6% |
| Aug 10, 2026 | $4.01 | +28.5% |
| Aug 3, 2026 | $4.08 | +29.9% |
| Jul 27, 2026 | $4.10 | +31.2% |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $4.00 | +28.2% |
| Jul 13, 2026 | $3.86 | +23.2% |
| Jul 6, 2026 | $3.78 | +20.9% |
| Jun 29, 2026 | $3.83 | +21.1% |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $3.91 | +21.8% |
| Jun 15, 2026 | $4.05 | +29.1% |
| Jun 8, 2026 | $4.15 | +33.4% |
| Jun 1, 2026 | $4.31 | +37.7% |
| May 25, 2026 | $4.48 | +41.6% |
| May 18, 2026 | $4.49 | +41.5% |
| May 11, 2026 | $4.50 | +44.2% |
| May 4, 2026 | $4.45 | +41.5% |
| Apr 27, 2026 | $4.12 | +31.6% |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $4.04 | +28.7% |
| Apr 13, 2026 | $4.12 | +30.1% |
| Apr 6, 2026 | $4.12 | +27.0% |
| Mar 30, 2026 | $3.99 | +26.2% |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $3.96 | +27.2% |
| Mar 16, 2026 | $3.72 | +21.6% |
| Mar 9, 2026 | $3.50 | +14.1% |
| Mar 2, 2026 | $3.02 | −2.0% |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $2.94 | −6.0% |
| Feb 16, 2026 | $2.92 | −7.1% |
| Feb 9, 2026 | $2.90 | −7.2% |
| Feb 2, 2026 | $2.87 | −7.0% |
| Jan 26, 2026 | $2.85 | −8.1% |
| Jan 19, 2026 | $2.81 | −9.7% |
| Jan 12, 2026 | $2.78 | −8.7% |
| Jan 5, 2026 | $2.80 | −8.2% |
| Dec 29, 2025 | $2.81 | −6.5% |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $2.84 | −6.1% |
| Dec 15, 2025 | $2.90 | −4.0% |
| Dec 8, 2025 | $2.94 | −2.3% |
| Dec 1, 2025 | $2.99 | −1.6% |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $3.06 | +0.6% |
| Nov 17, 2025 | $3.06 | +0.5% |
| Nov 10, 2025 | $3.06 | +0.1% |
| Nov 3, 2025 | $3.02 | −1.6% |
| Oct 27, 2025 | $3.04 | −2.0% |
| Oct 20, 2025 | $3.02 | −4.0% |
| Oct 13, 2025 | $3.06 | −3.5% |
| Oct 6, 2025 | $3.12 | −0.4% |
| Sep 29, 2025 | $3.12 | −1.9% |
| Sep 22, 2025 | $3.17 | −0.4% |
| Sep 15, 2025 | $3.17 | −0.4% |
| Sep 8, 2025 | $3.19 | −1.4% |
| Sep 1, 2025 | $3.18 | −3.4% |
| Aug 25, 2025 | $3.15 | −5.0% |
| Aug 18, 2025 | $3.13 | −7.6% |
| Aug 11, 2025 | $3.12 | −8.7% |
| Aug 4, 2025 | $3.14 | −8.9% |
| Jul 28, 2025 | $3.12 | −10.4% |
| Jul 21, 2025 | $3.12 | −10.1% |
| Jul 14, 2025 | $3.13 | −10.5% |
| Jul 7, 2025 | $3.13 | −10.4% |
| Jun 30, 2025 | $3.16 | −9.1% |
| Jun 23, 2025 | $3.21 | −6.5% |
| Jun 16, 2025 | $3.14 | −8.6% |
| Jun 9, 2025 | $3.11 | −9.4% |
| Jun 2, 2025 | $3.13 | −11.1% |
| May 26, 2025 | $3.16 | −11.7% |
| May 19, 2025 | $3.17 | −11.5% |
| May 12, 2025 | $3.12 | −13.5% |
| May 5, 2025 | $3.15 | −13.6% |
| Apr 28, 2025 | $3.13 | −14.2% |
| Apr 21, 2025 | $3.14 | −14.4% |
| Apr 14, 2025 | $3.17 | −12.7% |
| Apr 7, 2025 | $3.24 | −9.7% |
| Mar 31, 2025 | $3.16 | −10.1% |
| Mar 24, 2025 | $3.12 | −11.6% |
| Mar 17, 2025 | $3.06 | −11.4% |
| Mar 10, 2025 | $3.07 | −9.1% |
| Mar 3, 2025 | $3.08 | −8.1% |
| Feb 24, 2025 | $3.13 | −3.8% |
| Feb 17, 2025 | $3.15 | −3.7% |
| Feb 10, 2025 | $3.13 | −2.0% |
| Feb 3, 2025 | $3.08 | −1.7% |
| Jan 27, 2025 | $3.10 | +0.3% |
| Jan 20, 2025 | $3.11 | +1.5% |
| Jan 13, 2025 | $3.04 | −0.5% |
| Jan 6, 2025 | $3.05 | −0.8% |
| Dec 30, 2024 | $3.01 | −2.7% |
| Dec 23, 2024 | $3.02 | −3.0% |
| Dec 16, 2024 | $3.02 | −1.2% |
| Dec 9, 2024 | $3.01 | −4.1% |
| Dec 2, 2024 | $3.03 | −6.1% |
| Nov 25, 2024 | $3.04 | −6.0% |
| Nov 18, 2024 | $3.05 | −7.4% |
| Nov 11, 2024 | $3.05 | −8.9% |
| Nov 4, 2024 | $3.07 | −9.6% |
| Oct 28, 2024 | $3.10 | −10.8% |
| Oct 21, 2024 | $3.14 | −11.0% |
| Oct 14, 2024 | $3.17 | −11.3% |
| Oct 7, 2024 | $3.14 | −14.9% |
$6.20/ gallon
+67.0% vs. a year agoNational average retail price per gallon of on-highway diesel.
Week of Oct 5, 2026.View data table
| Week of | Price per gallon | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 5, 2026 | $6.20 | +67.0% |
| Sep 28, 2026 | $6.38 | +70.0% |
| Sep 21, 2026 | $6.53 | +74.2% |
| Sep 14, 2026 | $6.29 | +68.1% |
| Sep 7, 2026 | $5.97 | +58.4% |
| Aug 31, 2026 | $5.60 | +49.9% |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $5.65 | +52.4% |
| Aug 17, 2026 | $5.45 | +46.9% |
| Aug 10, 2026 | $5.26 | +40.0% |
| Aug 3, 2026 | $5.35 | +40.7% |
| Jul 27, 2026 | $5.31 | +39.6% |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $5.13 | +34.7% |
| Jul 13, 2026 | $4.80 | +27.6% |
| Jul 6, 2026 | $4.58 | +22.4% |
| Jun 29, 2026 | $4.67 | +25.2% |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $4.83 | +28.0% |
| Jun 15, 2026 | $5.06 | +41.7% |
| Jun 8, 2026 | $5.21 | +50.1% |
| Jun 1, 2026 | $5.35 | +55.0% |
| May 25, 2026 | $5.52 | +58.4% |
| May 18, 2026 | $5.60 | +58.3% |
| May 11, 2026 | $5.64 | +62.2% |
| May 4, 2026 | $5.64 | +61.3% |
| Apr 27, 2026 | $5.35 | +52.3% |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $5.40 | +52.9% |
| Apr 13, 2026 | $5.61 | +56.7% |
| Apr 6, 2026 | $5.64 | +55.1% |
| Mar 30, 2026 | $5.40 | +50.4% |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $5.38 | +50.7% |
| Mar 16, 2026 | $5.07 | +42.9% |
| Mar 9, 2026 | $4.86 | +35.7% |
| Mar 2, 2026 | $3.90 | +7.2% |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $3.81 | +3.0% |
| Feb 16, 2026 | $3.71 | +0.9% |
| Feb 9, 2026 | $3.69 | +0.6% |
| Feb 2, 2026 | $3.68 | +0.6% |
| Jan 26, 2026 | $3.62 | −1.0% |
| Jan 19, 2026 | $3.53 | −5.0% |
| Jan 12, 2026 | $3.46 | −4.0% |
| Jan 5, 2026 | $3.48 | −2.4% |
| Dec 29, 2025 | $3.50 | −0.1% |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $3.54 | +2.0% |
| Dec 15, 2025 | $3.61 | +3.2% |
| Dec 8, 2025 | $3.67 | +6.0% |
| Dec 1, 2025 | $3.76 | +6.2% |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $3.83 | +8.3% |
| Nov 17, 2025 | $3.87 | +10.8% |
| Nov 10, 2025 | $3.84 | +9.0% |
| Nov 3, 2025 | $3.75 | +6.1% |
| Oct 27, 2025 | $3.72 | +4.1% |
| Oct 20, 2025 | $3.62 | +1.9% |
| Oct 13, 2025 | $3.67 | +0.9% |
| Oct 6, 2025 | $3.71 | +3.5% |
| Sep 29, 2025 | $3.75 | +5.9% |
| Sep 22, 2025 | $3.75 | +5.9% |
| Sep 15, 2025 | $3.74 | +6.0% |
| Sep 8, 2025 | $3.77 | +5.9% |
| Sep 1, 2025 | $3.73 | +3.0% |
| Aug 25, 2025 | $3.71 | +1.6% |
| Aug 18, 2025 | $3.71 | +0.7% |
| Aug 11, 2025 | $3.75 | +1.3% |
| Aug 4, 2025 | $3.80 | +1.2% |
| Jul 28, 2025 | $3.81 | +1.0% |
| Jul 21, 2025 | $3.81 | +0.9% |
| Jul 14, 2025 | $3.76 | −1.8% |
| Jul 7, 2025 | $3.74 | −3.3% |
| Jun 30, 2025 | $3.73 | −2.3% |
| Jun 23, 2025 | $3.78 | +0.2% |
| Jun 16, 2025 | $3.57 | −4.4% |
| Jun 9, 2025 | $3.47 | −5.1% |
| Jun 2, 2025 | $3.45 | −7.4% |
| May 26, 2025 | $3.49 | −7.2% |
| May 19, 2025 | $3.54 | −6.7% |
| May 12, 2025 | $3.48 | −9.7% |
| May 5, 2025 | $3.50 | −10.2% |
| Apr 28, 2025 | $3.51 | −11.0% |
| Apr 21, 2025 | $3.53 | −11.5% |
| Apr 14, 2025 | $3.58 | −10.9% |
| Apr 7, 2025 | $3.64 | −10.4% |
| Mar 31, 2025 | $3.59 | −10.1% |
| Mar 24, 2025 | $3.57 | −11.6% |
| Mar 17, 2025 | $3.55 | −11.9% |
| Mar 10, 2025 | $3.58 | −10.5% |
| Mar 3, 2025 | $3.64 | −9.6% |
| Feb 24, 2025 | $3.70 | −8.9% |
| Feb 17, 2025 | $3.68 | −10.5% |
| Feb 10, 2025 | $3.67 | −10.8% |
| Feb 3, 2025 | $3.66 | −6.1% |
| Jan 27, 2025 | $3.66 | −5.4% |
| Jan 20, 2025 | $3.72 | −3.2% |
| Jan 13, 2025 | $3.60 | −6.8% |
| Jan 6, 2025 | $3.56 | −7.0% |
| Dec 30, 2024 | $3.50 | −9.6% |
| Dec 23, 2024 | $3.48 | −11.2% |
| Dec 16, 2024 | $3.49 | −10.3% |
| Dec 9, 2024 | $3.46 | −13.3% |
| Dec 2, 2024 | $3.54 | −13.5% |
| Nov 25, 2024 | $3.54 | −14.6% |
| Nov 18, 2024 | $3.49 | −17.1% |
| Nov 11, 2024 | $3.52 | −18.0% |
| Nov 4, 2024 | $3.54 | −19.0% |
| Oct 28, 2024 | $3.57 | −19.8% |
| Oct 21, 2024 | $3.55 | −21.8% |
| Oct 14, 2024 | $3.63 | −18.3% |
| Oct 7, 2024 | $3.58 | −20.3% |
Buying and maintaining a vehicle
How fast each cost is rising or falling, compared with overall inflation.
−2.3%in 12 months
−6.6% over 5 yearsWhat buyers pay for used cars, trucks, and SUVs.
5.7 points slower than overall inflation (+3.4%).
Data through August 2026. Chart shows the index level; hover for the 12-month change.View data table
| Month | Index level | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 184.6 | −2.3% |
| July 2026 | 184.7 | −1.9% |
| June 2026 | 183.4 | −1.8% |
| May 2026 | 180.6 | −2.0% |
| April 2026 | 177.9 | −2.7% |
| March 2026 | 176.2 | −3.2% |
| February 2026 | 175.6 | −3.2% |
| January 2026 | 177.7 | −2.0% |
| December 2025 | 183.3 | +1.6% |
| November 2025 | 186.4 | +3.6% |
| October 2025 | 187.0 | +4.6% |
| September 2025 | 187.1 | +5.1% |
| August 2025 | 189.0 | +6.0% |
| July 2025 | 188.2 | +4.8% |
| June 2025 | 186.7 | +2.8% |
| May 2025 | 184.2 | +1.8% |
| April 2025 | 182.9 | +1.5% |
| March 2025 | 181.9 | +0.6% |
| February 2025 | 181.4 | +0.8% |
| January 2025 | 181.3 | +1.0% |
| December 2024 | 180.3 | −3.3% |
| November 2024 | 180.0 | −3.4% |
| October 2024 | 178.7 | −3.4% |
| September 2024 | 178.1 | −5.1% |
+0.6%in 12 months
+13.3% over 5 yearsTransaction prices for new vehicles, adjusted for quality changes.
2.8 points slower than overall inflation (+3.4%).
Data through August 2026. Chart shows the index level; hover for the 12-month change.View data table
| Month | Index level | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 179.7 | +0.6% |
| July 2026 | 179.5 | +0.5% |
| June 2026 | 179.3 | +0.5% |
| May 2026 | 179.2 | +0.2% |
| April 2026 | 179.2 | +0.2% |
| March 2026 | 179.0 | +0.5% |
| February 2026 | 178.8 | +0.5% |
| January 2026 | 178.7 | +0.4% |
| December 2025 | 178.0 | +0.3% |
| November 2025 | 178.6 | +0.6% |
| October 2025 | 178.7 | +0.9% |
| September 2025 | 178.8 | +0.8% |
| August 2025 | 178.7 | +0.7% |
| July 2025 | 178.6 | +0.4% |
| June 2025 | 178.4 | +0.2% |
| May 2025 | 178.7 | +0.4% |
| April 2025 | 178.8 | +0.3% |
| March 2025 | 178.2 | 0.0% |
| February 2025 | 178.0 | −0.3% |
| January 2025 | 178.0 | −0.3% |
| December 2024 | 177.6 | −0.4% |
| November 2024 | 177.5 | −0.7% |
| October 2024 | 177.2 | −1.3% |
| September 2024 | 177.4 | −1.3% |
+5.2%in 12 months
+45.1% over 5 yearsShop and dealer service, from oil changes to brake jobs.
1.8 points faster than overall inflation (+3.4%).
Data through August 2026. Chart shows the index level; hover for the 12-month change.View data table
| Month | Index level | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 465.1 | +5.2% |
| July 2026 | 460.2 | +6.6% |
| June 2026 | 457.3 | +7.0% |
| May 2026 | 452.4 | +6.1% |
| April 2026 | 448.8 | +5.1% |
| March 2026 | 449.7 | +6.1% |
| February 2026 | 444.1 | +5.6% |
| January 2026 | 440.2 | +4.9% |
| December 2025 | 439.8 | +5.4% |
| November 2025 | 445.3 | +6.9% |
| October 2025 | Not published | n/a |
| September 2025 | 442.8 | +7.7% |
| August 2025 | 442.0 | +8.5% |
| July 2025 | 431.6 | +6.5% |
| June 2025 | 427.3 | +5.2% |
| May 2025 | 426.3 | +5.1% |
| April 2025 | 426.8 | +5.6% |
| March 2025 | 424.0 | +4.8% |
| February 2025 | 420.5 | +5.8% |
| January 2025 | 419.4 | +5.9% |
| December 2024 | 417.3 | +6.2% |
| November 2024 | 416.4 | +5.7% |
| October 2024 | 415.6 | +5.8% |
| September 2024 | 411.3 | +4.9% |
+0.9%in 12 months
+20.2% over 5 yearsTires, batteries, and other parts drivers buy.
2.5 points slower than overall inflation (+3.4%).
Data through August 2026. Chart shows the index level; hover for the 12-month change.View data table
| Month | Index level | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 188.9 | +0.9% |
| July 2026 | 188.8 | +1.5% |
| June 2026 | 187.7 | +1.7% |
| May 2026 | 187.2 | +2.1% |
| April 2026 | 188.6 | +3.8% |
| March 2026 | 189.1 | +3.9% |
| February 2026 | 187.8 | +3.1% |
| January 2026 | 186.9 | +2.2% |
| December 2025 | 187.8 | +3.5% |
| November 2025 | 186.1 | +2.6% |
| October 2025 | Not published | n/a |
| September 2025 | 188.0 | +3.1% |
| August 2025 | 187.1 | +3.4% |
| July 2025 | 186.1 | +2.9% |
| June 2025 | 184.5 | +2.3% |
| May 2025 | 183.4 | +1.7% |
| April 2025 | 181.7 | +1.2% |
| March 2025 | 181.9 | +1.2% |
| February 2025 | 182.1 | +1.2% |
| January 2025 | 183.0 | +1.4% |
| December 2024 | 181.6 | +1.3% |
| November 2024 | 181.4 | +1.5% |
| October 2024 | 182.6 | +2.3% |
| September 2024 | 182.4 | +1.9% |
+3.4%in 12 months
+22.4% over 5 yearsThe headline Consumer Price Index, used here as the benchmark.
Data through August 2026. Chart shows the index level; hover for the 12-month change.View data table
| Month | Index level | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 335.0 | +3.4% |
| July 2026 | 333.9 | +3.4% |
| June 2026 | 334.0 | +3.5% |
| May 2026 | 335.1 | +4.2% |
| April 2026 | 333.0 | +3.8% |
| March 2026 | 330.2 | +3.3% |
| February 2026 | 326.8 | +2.4% |
| January 2026 | 325.3 | +2.4% |
| December 2025 | 324.1 | +2.7% |
| November 2025 | 324.1 | +2.7% |
| October 2025 | Not published | n/a |
| September 2025 | 324.8 | +3.0% |
| August 2025 | 324.0 | +2.9% |
| July 2025 | 323.0 | +2.7% |
| June 2025 | 322.6 | +2.7% |
| May 2025 | 321.5 | +2.4% |
| April 2025 | 320.8 | +2.3% |
| March 2025 | 319.8 | +2.4% |
| February 2025 | 319.1 | +2.8% |
| January 2025 | 317.7 | +3.0% |
| December 2024 | 315.6 | +2.9% |
| November 2024 | 315.5 | +2.7% |
| October 2024 | 315.7 | +2.6% |
| September 2024 | 315.3 | +2.4% |
Financing
The benchmark bank rate for a new car loan.
7.47%APR
−0.04 pts vs. a year agoAverage rate at commercial banks on a 48-month new car loan. Dealer financing, credit unions, and your credit score can produce a very different rate.
As of August 2026. Published about once per quarter.View data table
| Month | Rate (APR) | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 7.47% | −0.04 pts |
| May 2026 | 7.47% | −0.16 pts |
| February 2026 | 7.37% | −0.34 pts |
| November 2025 | 7.62% | −0.50 pts |
| August 2025 | 7.51% | −1.12 pts |
| May 2025 | 7.63% | −1.02 pts |
| February 2025 | 7.71% | −0.86 pts |
| November 2024 | 8.12% | −0.39 pts |
All figures at a glance
| Cost | Latest | 1-year change | 5-year change | Data through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gasoline | $4.35 | +39.4% | +36.5% | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Diesel | $6.20 | +67.0% | +78.3% | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Used cars and trucks | Index 184.6 | −2.3% | −6.6% | Aug 2026 |
| New vehicles | Index 179.7 | +0.6% | +13.3% | Aug 2026 |
| Maintenance and repair | Index 465.1 | +5.2% | +45.1% | Aug 2026 |
| Parts and equipment | Index 188.9 | +0.9% | +20.2% | Aug 2026 |
| All items (overall inflation) | Index 335.0 | +3.4% | +22.4% | Aug 2026 |
| New auto loan rate (48 months) | 7.47% | −0.04 pts | +2.33 pts | Aug 2026 |
How to read this report
Fuel prices are national averages in dollars per gallon, collected every week by the U.S. Energy Information Administration from retail stations across the country.
Vehicle prices, repair costs, and parts are tracked with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI measures how prices change over time rather than dollar amounts, so we show the percent change from a year earlier and five years earlier. These are not seasonally adjusted, which matches the 12-month changes the BLS publishes in its headline reports.
The auto loan rate is the average rate commercial banks charge on a 48-month new car loan, published by the Federal Reserve about once per quarter. If a comparison shows n/a, the source agency did not publish data for that comparison period, so we leave it blank rather than estimate it.
Keep your own costs down
Do-it-yourself guides that help you skip a trip to the shop.