Gas prices hit record high for Labor Day weekend
Gasoline and diesel prices in the U.S. have reached record highs for the Labor Day weekend, driven by elevated crude oil costs and supply chain disruptions. The ongoing conflict involving the Strait of Hormuz has significantly impacted global oil supply and retail prices.
Why it matters
Rising fuel costs affect consumer spending power and broader economic inflation during peak travel periods.
A late-summer surge in gasoline prices means drivers are paying more at the pump than they ever have on Labor Day .
And, since the holiday weekend is o ne of the busiest travel weekends of the year, according to rental car company Hertz, that means road trips may be more expensive than usual.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $4.15 on Monday, a record high for the holiday, according to AAA.
The price has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day, according to AAA. The previous record was $3.82, reached on Sept. 3, 2012.
And, although the per-gallon price is down from the 2026 high of $4.56 in May, prices are still about 30% higher than the average $3.20 drivers were paying a year ago, according to AAA.
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