The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped on Tuesday to $4.504. It marks the second consecutive day this week that gas prices have decreased, after a string of days earlier this month when fuel costs soared to yearly highs.During this time last week, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas increased by 30 cents over seven days, going from $4.176 to $4.483. And while still more expensive than a week ago, and a month ago when the national average price was $4.125, Tuesday’s fuel costs are headed in the right direction for consumers. Moreover, today’s fuel prices are lower than the year-to-date high of $4.56 per gallon, set last week, according to AAA.Before this week’s drop in the national average price for regular gas, fuel costs had increased every day for over two weeks.
Gas price fluctuations are nothing new in 2026, as the national average has ranged from below $2.80 per gallon to over $4.50 per gallon this year. Since gas prices fell to $2.79 per gallon on Jan. 12, a five-year low, fuel costs have gradually risen, as mentioned above. Initially, winter weather nationwide was blamed for rising fuel costs, as snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production. However, fuel prices began to soar after the Iran war began.
