Gas Prices Reach Election-Day High as Voter Disapproval Grows
Average gasoline prices hit $4.14 per gallon on November 3, 2026, the highest on record for an election day, while a poll shows a majority of voters disapprove of President Trump's handling of fuel costs.
Average gasoline prices in the United States rose to $4.14 per gallon on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, according to the American Automobile Association, marking the highest national average for an election day since records began in 1994. The figure exceeds previous election-day averages, which ranged from $2.46 in 1994 to $5.01 in 2012 when adjusted for inflation.
A Navigator Research poll released on Oct. 8 found that 76% of registered voters disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of gas prices, with only 20% expressing approval. The same poll showed similar disapproval rates for the president’s management of inflation, the cost of living, and overall job performance.
"President Trump’s approval ratings have hit all-time lows in Navigator tracking," the poll’s analysts wrote.
Petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy noted that the $4.12 per-gallon gasoline price set a new election-day record, while diesel averaged $6.28 per gallon. He added that prices had slipped slightly in most states in the week before the election as refinery maintenance concluded and cooler weather reduced seasonal demand.
"Average gasoline prices fell in nearly every state over the last week, while diesel declined in most, as refinery maintenance wraps up and seasonal demand continues to fade with the onset of cooler weather," De Haan said in a Nov. 2 blog post.
De Haan cautioned that future price movements could depend on geopolitical developments, including the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing strikes on Russian refineries.
President Trump has addressed fuel costs in recent campaign events, suggesting that a resolution to the Iran-related conflict could lead to lower gasoline prices.
"When that war ends, you're gonna see gasoline coming down," Trump told a rally in Iowa on Nov. 1.
Historical data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that inflation-adjusted gasoline prices on election days have varied widely over the past three decades, with the 2026 level notably higher than the $3.32 average recorded in 2024.
The combination of elevated fuel costs and voter dissatisfaction with the president’s economic policies is expected to influence voting behavior in the 2026 midterm elections.