There were an estimated 218 million motorists in the United States in 2015, accounting for a combined 3.1 trillion vehicle miles traveled the same year — more than in any year prior. Because of our dependence on personal vehicles, the price of gasoline can have a considerable impact on Americans’ budgets and can also have much broader economic implications.

The price at the pump across the country is subject to global forces of supply and demand of crude oil. Shortages and relatively high demand will cause prices to spike, while a glut in supply tends to keep gas prices low.

In recent years, American motorists have caught a break at the pump, following a roughly 50% drop in the price of a barrel of crude oil from 2014 to 2015. Nationwide, a gallon of gas cost an average of $2.45 in 2015 — down from an all-time non-inflation adjusted high of $3.64 per gallon on average nationwide in 2012.

Despite the fall in crude oil prices, for much of the last several decades, gas has been even less expensive than it currently is. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to identify the average cost of a gallon of gas every year since 1945.

Click here to see how much a gallon of gas cost the year you were born.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

1945
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.21 ($2.19)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.22 ($16.00)
> U.S. gas consumption: 579.3 million barrels
> Per capita consumption: 173.9 gallons

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1946
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.21 ($1.96)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.41 ($15.65)
> U.S. gas consumption: 722.5 million barrels
> Per capita consumption: 214.6 gallons

1947
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.23 ($1.97)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.93 ($19.68)
> U.S. gas consumption: 773.4 million barrels
> Per capita consumption: 225.4 gallons

1948
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.26 ($2.09)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.60 ($25.75)
> U.S. gas consumption: 834.6 million barrels
> Per capita consumption: 239.0 gallons

1949
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.17)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.54 ($25.69)
> U.S. gas consumption: 879.7 million barrels
> Per capita consumption: 247.7 gallons

1950
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.14)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.51 ($23.96)
> U.S. gas consumption: 954.8 million barrels
> Per capita consumption: 263.3 gallons

1951
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.03)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.53 ($22.78)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 295.5 gallons

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1952
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.01)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.53 ($22.61)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 288.2 gallons

1953
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.29 ($2.08)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.68 ($23.78)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 297.6 gallons

1954
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.29 ($2.08)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.78 ($24.85)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 300.3 gallons

1955
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.29 ($2.05)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.77 ($24.67)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 320.0 gallons

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1956
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($2.04)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.79 ($24.12)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 322.9 gallons

1957
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($2.05)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.09 ($25.97)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 322.2 gallons

1958
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.96)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.01 ($24.86)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 325.3 gallons

1959
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.94)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.90 ($23.54)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 332.7 gallons

1960
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.95)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.88 ($23.06)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.5 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 337.7 gallons

1961
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.91)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.89 ($22.99)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.5 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 337.4 gallons

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1962
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.88)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.90 ($22.77)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.5 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 345.1 gallons

1963
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.84)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.89 ($22.40)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 351.1 gallons

1964
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.82)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.88 ($22.03)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 352.7 gallons

1965
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.83)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.86 ($21.46)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.7 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 362.3 gallons

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1966
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.32 ($1.83)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.88 ($20.89)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.8 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 375.0 gallons

1967
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.33 ($1.84)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.92 ($20.56)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.8 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 382.5 gallons

1968
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.34 ($1.79)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.94 ($19.76)
> U.S. gas consumption: 1.9 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 402.9 gallons

1969
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.35 ($1.77)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.09 ($19.56)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.0 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 418.0 gallons

1970
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.36 ($1.72)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.18 ($19.07)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 432.5 gallons

1971
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.36 ($1.67)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.39 ($19.68)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 444.0 gallons

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1972
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.36 ($1.59)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.39 ($19.04)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 467.0 gallons

1973
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.39 ($1.62)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.89 ($20.09)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 482.8 gallons

1974
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.53 ($2.03)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $6.87 ($31.59)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 468.6 gallons

1975
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.57 ($1.98)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $7.67 ($32.98)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 473.8 gallons

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1976
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.59 ($1.96)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $8.19 ($33.58)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 491.9 gallons

1977
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.62 ($1.94)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $8.57 ($32.94)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 499.6 gallons

1978
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.63 ($1.83)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $9.00 ($31.73)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 510.5 gallons

1979
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.86 ($2.31)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $12.64 ($39.33)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 479.2 gallons

1980
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.19 ($2.95)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $21.59 ($59.70)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 445.0 gallons

1981
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.31 ($2.97)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $31.77 ($80.66)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 440.1 gallons

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1982
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.22 ($2.60)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $28.52 ($69.74)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 432.7 gallons

1983
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.16 ($2.37)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $26.19 ($61.70)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 434.2 gallons

1984
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.13 ($2.23)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $25.88 ($58.65)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 436.2 gallons

1985
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.12 ($2.14)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $24.09 ($52.60)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.5 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 440.1 gallons

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1986
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.86 ($1.61)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $12.51 ($27.02)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 449.1 gallons

1987
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.90 ($1.64)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.40 ($31.85)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 455.9 gallons

1988
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.90 ($1.59)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $12.58 ($24.92)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 461.3 gallons

1989
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.00 ($1.70)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.86 ($30.02)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 455.1 gallons

1990
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.15 ($1.89)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $20.03 ($35.73)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 444.6 gallons

1991
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.14 ($1.81)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $16.54 ($28.62)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 437.0 gallons

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1992
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.13 ($1.75)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.99 ($26.89)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 438.1 gallons

1993
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.11 ($1.68)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $14.25 ($23.33)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 444.6 gallons

1994
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.11 ($1.65)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $13.19 ($21.03)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.8 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 447.6 gallons

1995
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.15 ($1.67)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $14.62 ($22.73)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.8 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 454.3 gallons

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1996
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.23 ($1.76)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $18.46 ($27.78)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.9 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 457.3 gallons

1997
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.23 ($1.74)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $17.23 ($25.49)
> U.S. gas consumption: 2.9 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 458.9 gallons

1998
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.06 ($1.47)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $10.87 ($15.83)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.0 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 468.2 gallons

1999
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.17 ($1.60)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.56 ($22.06)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 474.0 gallons

 

2000
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.51 ($2.02)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $26.72 ($36.65)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 461.6 gallons

2001
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.46 ($1.91)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $21.84 ($29.50)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.1 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 463.2 gallons

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2002
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.36 ($1.75)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $22.51 ($29.70)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 471.6 gallons

2003
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.59 ($2.01)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $27.56 ($35.69)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 472.1 gallons

2004
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.88 ($2.32)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $36.77 ($46.11)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 478.0 gallons

2005
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.30 ($2.74)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $50.28 ($60.97)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 475.1 gallons

2006
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.59 ($3.00)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $59.69 ($70.59)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 475.4 gallons

2007
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.80 ($3.16)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $66.52 ($75.58)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 440.5 gallons

2008
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.27 ($3.61)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $94.04 ($106.76)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 440.5 gallons

2009
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.35 ($2.58)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $56.35 ($62.27)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 442.2 gallons

2010
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.79 ($3.02)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $74.71 ($81.35)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 445.6 gallons

2011
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.53 ($3.75)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $95.73 ($101.24)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 430.5 gallons

2012
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.64 ($3.80)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $94.52 ($98.25)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 424.9 gallons

2013
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.53 ($3.62)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $95.99 ($98.30)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.0 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 394.1 gallons

2014
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.37 ($3.40)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $87.39 ($88.82)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 428.8 gallons

2015
> Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.45 ($2.45)
> Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $44.39 ($44.39)
> U.S. gas consumption: 3.4 billion barrels
> Per capita consumption: 437.8 gallons

Detailed Findings

A gallon of gas cost less than a quarter in 1945. However, after adjusting for inflation, fuel costs that year were roughly in line with today’s prices. Still, gas prices have ranged dramatically in the last several decades, from an inflation adjusted average national low of $1.47 in 1998, to a high of $3.80 in 2012.

Meeting demand for gasoline in the U.S. is no small task. Oil companies extracted some 3.4 billion barrels of crude oil in the U.S. in 2015 — up considerably from 3.2 billion barrels the previous year.

The country also depends heavily on foreign oil. The U.S. imported 2.7 billion barrels of crude oil in 2015, roughly the same amount as in 2014. However, the broader trend reflects a reduced reliance on foreign oil. Due to a range of factors, including decreased demand and increased U.S. production, crude oil imports have fallen 27% since an all time high of 3.7 billion barrels in 2005.

About half of all petroleum in the U.S. is refined into gasoline. Though it can be used for a wide range of purposes, personal automobiles account for 90% of gasoline consumption nationwide.

Though the progression is not always linear, Americans appear to be driving more and more each year. While 2015 was a record year for total vehicle miles traveled, it was not a record year for fuel consumption. Due in large part to increasingly fuel-efficient vehicles, Americans consumed some 437.8 gallons of gasoline per capita in 2015 — well below the all-time high of 510.5 gallons in 1978.

Methodology

To identify the cost of a gallon of gas every year since 1945, 24/7 Wall St. used historical data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The prices reflect annual averages of the price at the pump for a gallon of gasoline. We also considered average annual motor oil consumption and the average price of a barrel of crude oil from the EIA. Per-capita gas consumption was calculated using population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. All inflation-adjusted prices are tied to 2015 dollars. Annual U.S. crude oil imports and production also came from the EIA.

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