Gasoline and diesel prices set all-time records on U.S. Election Day.

Gasoline prices are a key gauge of the cost of living for many Americans, and this year’s election day gas prices have hit a record high. While retail gas prices at the pump have declined in recent days and weeks, data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows the national average for regular gasoline stood at $4.15 per gallon as of Tuesday. CNN’s analysis of AAA data dating back to 2000 found this is the highest ever recorded gas price on a U.S. election day, far exceeding the previous record of $3.80 per gallon set in 2022. At that time, U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high during President Joe Biden’s tenure. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump sharply criticized Biden for the record gas prices under his administration, and pledged to bring gas prices down to below $2 per gallon. But in reality, largely due to President Trump’s decision to launch military strikes on Iran, current gas prices are more than $1 per gallon higher than they were on the 2024 election day, when the national average gas price was just $3.10 per gallon. Additionally, the average gas price during Trump’s second term has reached $3.481 per gallon, which is also higher than the $3.471 per gallon average during Biden’s tenure. However, when adjusted for inflation, gas prices do not appear as elevated. After inflation adjustment, the real average U.S. gas price on election day in 2012 exceeded $5 per gallon.