The short version

Claim we investigated

Gas prices are set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history.

Mostly true. In plain dollars, yes; after inflation, gas cost more before the 2012 and 1980 elections than today. Federal price surveys put this year's pre-election U.S. average at $4.27, a record in plain dollars. Adjusted for inflation, 2012 ($5.08) and 1980 ($4.94) were higher, and 2026 ranks sixth of 26 elections.

Quote or cite this fact-check
FactHub rates the claim “Gas prices are set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history” Mostly true (high confidence): In plain dollars, yes; after inflation, gas cost more before the 2012 and 1980 elections than today. Reviewed November 2, 2026. https://facthub.org/n/article/election-day-gas-price-record/1

Key points

What the evidence establishes

  • Established. At $4.27 a gallon, U.S. gas costs more in plain dollars than before any national election since at least 1976.
  • Established. After inflation, gas was highest before the 2012 election, at $5.08 in today's dollars, then 1980 at $4.94. This year ranks sixth of 26.
  • Established. A typical worker needs 7.9 minutes of pay to buy a gallon, less than before the 2010, 2012, 2014 or 2022 elections.
  • Established. Taxes did not drive the record: the federal gas tax hasn't changed since 1993, and average state gas taxes rose 2.9 cents since 2022.
  • Context. States differ widely. Washington's $5.20 is 93 cents above average; its higher state taxes explain 26 cents and its carbon program roughly 24 to 46.
  • Context. The Post's record counts dollars of the day. Federal energy statisticians adjust for inflation to compare prices across decades; on that basis 2026 is not a record.
Important context: On November 2, 2026, the day before the midterm election, The Washington Post posted that gas prices were set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history. It said they were about 37 cents above 2022's record. We checked the U.S. average price of regular gas before each national election since 1976, from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is a national claim; state prices differ widely.

The evidence

The conclusion rests on the combined record. Expand each item to see its role and limitations.

Independence note: This check uses 5 methods across 2 institutions and 1 country or international grouping.
Evidence map
Method Institution / country Year(s) What it shows Key limitation Primary links
EIA weekly survey of about 900 gas stations, U.S. average for regular gasoline including taxes, on the Monday before each national Election Day, 1990-2026; BLS average price of unleaded regular for October-December, 1976-1988. U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics United States 1976, 1980, 1990, 2012, 2022, 2026 EIA's U.S. average was $4.269 on October 26, 2026. Before earlier elections it was $3.796 (2022), $3.492 (2012) and $3.069 (2024). The BLS average for 1976-1988 never passed $1.28. So in plain dollars, this year's price is the highest before any national election in these records. The 2026 reading is eight days before Election Day, because EIA's November 2 reading comes out on Election Day. Before 1990 the price is a different survey's three-month average. The Washington Post U.S. Energy Information Administration FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation
Each price converted to September 2026 dollars with the BLS consumer price index for all urban consumers, the method EIA uses for its own inflation-adjusted prices. Checked with October averages in place of the single Monday reading. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Energy Information Administration, FactHub United States 1976, 1980, 1982, 2010, 2012, 2022, 2026 In September 2026 dollars, gas cost $5.08 before the 2012 election, $4.94 in 1980, $4.40 in 1982, $4.33 in 2010 and $4.31 in 2022, against $4.27 now. That makes 2026 sixth of 26. Using October averages, 2026 is sixth of 19 since 1990 and 2012 is highest at $5.45. The consumer price index measures average prices, not any one family's costs. The latest index is September 2026, and 2010, 2022 and 2026 are within 6 cents, a gap smaller than the effect of using a different month. U.S. Energy Information Administration U.S. Energy Information Administration FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices ranked after inflation FactHub dataset: October-average check
Pre-election price divided by BLS average hourly earnings of production and nonsupervisory workers for September of each election year, 1990-2026. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, FactHub United States 1990, 1998, 2008, 2012, 2022, 2026 A gallon took 7.9 minutes of a typical worker's pay before this election, the same as 2008. It took 10.6 minutes in 2012, 8.8 in 2010, 8.7 in 2014 and 8.2 in 2022. The low was 4.6 minutes in 1998. Pay is before taxes and covers about four in five private workers, not managers or the self-employed. It ignores better fuel economy, which lowers the cost per mile. FactHub dataset: minutes of work per gallon
EIA's table of federal and state gasoline taxes and fees for July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2026, compared with the change in the U.S. price between the 2022 and 2026 pre-election readings. U.S. Energy Information Administration, FactHub United States 2022, 2026 The federal tax is 18.4 cents and has not changed since October 1993. The average state's taxes and fees rose from 30.9 cents to 33.8 cents, or 2.9 cents. The pre-election price rose 47.3 cents, so tax increases explain about 6% of it. Washington's state taxes rose 7.8 cents and California's 8.5 cents. The table leaves out local taxes, some sales taxes and the cost of state carbon and clean-fuel programs. The state average is not weighted by gallons sold. U.S. Energy Information Administration U.S. Energy Information Administration FactHub dataset: tax change vs price change since 2022
EIA's October 26, 2026 prices for the nine states it reports weekly, compared with each state's July 2026 taxes and fees and with the U.S. average. U.S. Energy Information Administration, FactHub United States 2026 Washington's gas was $5.20, 93 cents above the U.S. average, and its state taxes and fees of 60.2 cents were 26 cents above the average state. California was $5.89, $1.62 above, with taxes 40 cents above. Texas was $3.63, 64 cents below, with taxes 14 cents below. Florida's taxes were 6 cents above average, yet its price was 25 cents below. EIA reports weekly prices for only nine states. The part of each gap not explained by taxes includes carbon programs, special fuel blends, supply and local taxes, which this check does not separate. FactHub dataset: state prices and taxes vs the U.S. average U.S. Energy Information Administration FactHub dataset: Washington gasoline price premium and carbon allowance costs
1. Federal price survey: $4.27 is the highest pre-election price in plain dollars EIA weekly survey of about 900 gas stations, U.S. average for regular gasoline including taxes, on the Monday before each national Election Day, 1990-2026; BLS average price of unleaded regular for October-December, 1976-1988.

EIA's U.S. average was $4.269 on October 26, 2026. Before earlier elections it was $3.796 (2022), $3.492 (2012) and $3.069 (2024). The BLS average for 1976-1988 never passed $1.28. So in plain dollars, this year's price is the highest before any national election in these records.

Limit: The 2026 reading is eight days before Election Day, because EIA's November 2 reading comes out on Election Day. Before 1990 the price is a different survey's three-month average.

Verify: Post on X: Gas prices are set to be highest for any Election Day in U.S. history (November 2, 2026) Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation

Gas prices are set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history, as the issue weighs heavily on voters’ minds. The average gas price is roughly 37 cents higher than prices heading into the 2022 midterm election, which held the previous record.

The Washington Post, Newspaper (official X account) Post on X linking the story "Gas prices are set to be highest for any Election Day in U.S. history" · · Assertion

Context: The Post posted this the afternoon before the November 3, 2026 midterm election, with a link to its story. The post does not say which price survey it used or whether prices were adjusted for inflation.

Source: The Washington Post on X · View in the dataset

2. After inflation, 2012 and 1980 were higher Each price converted to September 2026 dollars with the BLS consumer price index for all urban consumers, the method EIA uses for its own inflation-adjusted prices. Checked with October averages in place of the single Monday reading.

In September 2026 dollars, gas cost $5.08 before the 2012 election, $4.94 in 1980, $4.40 in 1982, $4.33 in 2010 and $4.31 in 2022, against $4.27 now. That makes 2026 sixth of 26. Using October averages, 2026 is sixth of 19 since 1990 and 2012 is highest at $5.45.

Limit: The consumer price index measures average prices, not any one family's costs. The latest index is September 2026, and 2010, 2022 and 2026 are within 6 cents, a gap smaller than the effect of using a different month.

Verify: Are the prices EIA publishes adjusted for inflation? Short-Term Energy Outlook: Real Petroleum Prices FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices ranked after inflation FactHub dataset: October-average check

Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation, 1976-2026U.S. average price of regular gasoline just before each national Election Day, in dollars of the day and in September 2026 dollars.{"width":960,"height":540,"plot":{"left":90,"top":70,"right":926,"bottom":482},"yDomain":[0,6],"series":[{"name":"Price at the time","color":"#176b87"},{"name":"In September 2026 dollars","color":"#b6542c"}],"points":[{"series":0,"x":90,"y":438.88,"xLabel":"1976","yLabel":"$0.63"},{"series":1,"x":90,"y":231.37,"xLabel":"1976","yLabel":"$3.65"},{"series":0,"x":123.44,"y":434.14,"xLabel":"1978","yLabel":"$0.70"},{"series":1,"x":123.44,"y":243.04,"xLabel":"1978","yLabel":"$3.48"},{"series":0,"x":156.88,"y":395.96,"xLabel":"1980","yLabel":"$1.25"},{"series":1,"x":156.88,"y":142.79,"xLabel":"1980","yLabel":"$4.94"},{"series":0,"x":190.32,"y":394.18,"xLabel":"1982","yLabel":"$1.28"},{"series":1,"x":190.32,"y":179.87,"xLabel":"1982","yLabel":"$4.40"},{"series":0,"x":223.76,"y":399.39,"xLabel":"1984","yLabel":"$1.20"},{"series":1,"x":223.76,"y":217.63,"xLabel":"1984","yLabel":"$3.85"},{"series":0,"x":257.2,"y":425.35,"xLabel":"1986","yLabel":"$0.83"},{"series":1,"x":257.2,"y":308.96,"xLabel":"1986","yLabel":"$2.52"},{"series":0,"x":290.64,"y":417.11,"xLabel":"1988","yLabel":"$0.95"},{"series":1,"x":290.64,"y":300.03,"xLabel":"1988","yLabel":"$2.65"},{"series":0,"x":324.08,"y":390.4,"xLabel":"1990","yLabel":"$1.33"},{"series":1,"x":324.08,"y":249.22,"xLabel":"1990","yLabel":"$3.39"},{"series":0,"x":357.52,"y":405.09,"xLabel":"1992","yLabel":"$1.12"},{"series":1,"x":357.52,"y":298.66,"xLabel":"1992","yLabel":"$2.67"},{"series":0,"x":390.96,"y":404.89,"xLabel":"1994","yLabel":"$1.12"},{"series":1,"x":390.96,"y":308.27,"xLabel":"1994","yLabel":"$2.53"},{"series":0,"x":424.4,"y":398.02,"xLabel":"1996","yLabel":"$1.22"},{"series":1,"x":424.4,"y":302.78,"xLabel":"1996","yLabel":"$2.61"},{"series":0,"x":457.84,"y":412.65,"xLabel":"1998","yLabel":"$1.01"},{"series":1,"x":457.84,"y":339.17,"xLabel":"1998","yLabel":"$2.08"},{"series":0,"x":491.28,"y":377.21,"xLabel":"2000","yLabel":"$1.53"},{"series":1,"x":491.28,"y":278.75,"xLabel":"2000","yLabel":"$2.96"},{"series":0,"x":524.72,"y":382.57,"xLabel":"2002","yLabel":"$1.45"},{"series":1,"x":524.72,"y":296.6,"xLabel":"2002","yLabel":"$2.70"},{"series":0,"x":558.16,"y":342.33,"xLabel":"2004","yLabel":"$2.03"},{"series":1,"x":558.16,"y":234.11,"xLabel":"2004","yLabel":"$3.61"},{"series":0,"x":591.6,"y":330.93,"xLabel":"2006","yLabel":"$2.20"},{"series":1,"x":591.6,"y":231.37,"xLabel":"2006","yLabel":"$3.65"},{"series":0,"x":625.04,"y":317.2,"xLabel":"2008","yLabel":"$2.40"},{"series":1,"x":625.04,"y":227.93,"xLabel":"2008","yLabel":"$3.70"},{"series":0,"x":658.48,"y":289.32,"xLabel":"2010","yLabel":"$2.81"},{"series":1,"x":658.48,"y":184.67,"xLabel":"2010","yLabel":"$4.33"},{"series":0,"x":691.92,"y":242.22,"xLabel":"2012","yLabel":"$3.49"},{"series":1,"x":691.92,"y":133.17,"xLabel":"2012","yLabel":"$5.08"},{"series":0,"x":725.36,"y":276.48,"xLabel":"2014","yLabel":"$2.99"},{"series":1,"x":725.36,"y":190.85,"xLabel":"2014","yLabel":"$4.24"},{"series":0,"x":758.8,"y":328.67,"xLabel":"2016","yLabel":"$2.23"},{"series":1,"x":758.8,"y":267.76,"xLabel":"2016","yLabel":"$3.12"},{"series":0,"x":792.24,"y":292.96,"xLabel":"2018","yLabel":"$2.75"},{"series":1,"x":792.24,"y":229.99,"xLabel":"2018","yLabel":"$3.67"},{"series":0,"x":825.68,"y":336.98,"xLabel":"2020","yLabel":"$2.11"},{"series":1,"x":825.68,"y":294.54,"xLabel":"2020","yLabel":"$2.73"},{"series":0,"x":859.12,"y":221.34,"xLabel":"2022","yLabel":"$3.80"},{"series":1,"x":859.12,"y":186.05,"xLabel":"2022","yLabel":"$4.31"},{"series":0,"x":892.56,"y":271.26,"xLabel":"2024","yLabel":"$3.07"},{"series":1,"x":892.56,"y":256.77,"xLabel":"2024","yLabel":"$3.28"},{"series":0,"x":926,"y":188.86,"xLabel":"2026","yLabel":"$4.27"},{"series":1,"x":926,"y":188.79,"xLabel":"2026","yLabel":"$4.27"}]}Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation, 1976-2026$0.00$1.00$2.00$3.00$4.00$5.00$6.0019801990200020102020Election yearPrice at the timeIn September 2026 dollarsEIA weekly survey beginsFactHub · Dollars per gallon
In plain dollars, this Election Day's $4.27 is the highest on record. After inflation, gas cost more before the 2012 and 1980 elections. View source chart
3. Measured against pay, gas took longer to earn in 2012 and 2022 Pre-election price divided by BLS average hourly earnings of production and nonsupervisory workers for September of each election year, 1990-2026.

A gallon took 7.9 minutes of a typical worker's pay before this election, the same as 2008. It took 10.6 minutes in 2012, 8.8 in 2010, 8.7 in 2014 and 8.2 in 2022. The low was 4.6 minutes in 1998.

Limit: Pay is before taxes and covers about four in five private workers, not managers or the self-employed. It ignores better fuel economy, which lowers the cost per mile.

Verify: FactHub dataset: minutes of work per gallon

Minutes of work to buy a gallon of gas before each Election Day, 1990-2026U.S. average gas price before each national Election Day divided by average hourly pay of production and nonsupervisory workers, in minutes.{"width":960,"height":540,"plot":{"left":90,"top":70,"right":926,"bottom":482},"yDomain":[0,12],"series":[{"name":"Value","color":"#176b87"}],"points":[{"series":0,"x":90,"y":214.2,"xLabel":"1990","yLabel":"7.8"},{"series":0,"x":136.44,"y":269.13,"xLabel":"1992","yLabel":"6.2"},{"series":0,"x":182.89,"y":279.43,"xLabel":"1994","yLabel":"5.9"},{"series":0,"x":229.33,"y":276,"xLabel":"1996","yLabel":"6.0"},{"series":0,"x":275.78,"y":324.07,"xLabel":"1998","yLabel":"4.6"},{"series":0,"x":322.22,"y":258.83,"xLabel":"2000","yLabel":"6.5"},{"series":0,"x":368.67,"y":282.87,"xLabel":"2002","yLabel":"5.8"},{"series":0,"x":415.11,"y":217.63,"xLabel":"2004","yLabel":"7.7"},{"series":0,"x":461.56,"y":214.2,"xLabel":"2006","yLabel":"7.8"},{"series":0,"x":508,"y":210.77,"xLabel":"2008","yLabel":"7.9"},{"series":0,"x":554.44,"y":179.87,"xLabel":"2010","yLabel":"8.8"},{"series":0,"x":600.89,"y":118.07,"xLabel":"2012","yLabel":"10.6"},{"series":0,"x":647.33,"y":183.3,"xLabel":"2014","yLabel":"8.7"},{"series":0,"x":693.78,"y":269.13,"xLabel":"2016","yLabel":"6.2"},{"series":0,"x":740.22,"y":234.8,"xLabel":"2018","yLabel":"7.2"},{"series":0,"x":786.67,"y":306.9,"xLabel":"2020","yLabel":"5.1"},{"series":0,"x":833.11,"y":200.47,"xLabel":"2022","yLabel":"8.2"},{"series":0,"x":879.56,"y":272.57,"xLabel":"2024","yLabel":"6.1"},{"series":0,"x":926,"y":210.77,"xLabel":"2026","yLabel":"7.9"}]}Minutes of work to buy a gallon of gas before each Election Day, 1990-20260.02.04.06.08.010.012.01990200020102020Election yearFactHub · Minutes of work per gallon
A gallon takes 7.9 minutes of a typical worker's pay, less than before the 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2022 elections. View source chart
4. Gas taxes rose only a few cents since 2022 EIA's table of federal and state gasoline taxes and fees for July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2026, compared with the change in the U.S. price between the 2022 and 2026 pre-election readings.

The federal tax is 18.4 cents and has not changed since October 1993. The average state's taxes and fees rose from 30.9 cents to 33.8 cents, or 2.9 cents. The pre-election price rose 47.3 cents, so tax increases explain about 6% of it. Washington's state taxes rose 7.8 cents and California's 8.5 cents.

Limit: The table leaves out local taxes, some sales taxes and the cost of state carbon and clean-fuel programs. The state average is not weighted by gallons sold.

Verify: Many states slightly increased their taxes and fees on gasoline in the past year (Today in Energy, February 12, 2026, reposted March 4, 2026) Federal and state motor fuels taxes (fueltaxes.xlsx), July 2026 (revised) and July 2022 (revised) FactHub dataset: tax change vs price change since 2022

5. State prices differ by more than $2; taxes explain part of it EIA's October 26, 2026 prices for the nine states it reports weekly, compared with each state's July 2026 taxes and fees and with the U.S. average.

Washington's gas was $5.20, 93 cents above the U.S. average, and its state taxes and fees of 60.2 cents were 26 cents above the average state. California was $5.89, $1.62 above, with taxes 40 cents above. Texas was $3.63, 64 cents below, with taxes 14 cents below. Florida's taxes were 6 cents above average, yet its price was 25 cents below.

Limit: EIA reports weekly prices for only nine states. The part of each gap not explained by taxes includes carbon programs, special fuel blends, supply and local taxes, which this check does not separate.

Verify: FactHub dataset: state prices and taxes vs the U.S. average Many states slightly increased their taxes and fees on gasoline in the past year (Today in Energy, February 12, 2026, reposted March 4, 2026) FactHub dataset: Washington gasoline price premium and carbon allowance costs, 2015-2026

What's in a gallon: federal tax, state taxes and everything else, by state, October 2026Regular gasoline price on October 26, 2026 for the U.S. average and nine states, split into the federal tax, state taxes and fees, and all other costs.{"width":960,"height":540,"plot":{"left":90,"top":70,"right":926,"bottom":482},"yDomain":[0,6],"series":[{"name":"Federal tax","color":"#176b87"},{"name":"State taxes and fees","color":"#b6542c"},{"name":"Fuel, refining, delivery and other costs","color":"#684b9b"}],"points":[{"series":0,"x":131.8,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"U.S. average","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":131.8,"y":446.18,"xLabel":"U.S. average","yLabel":"$0.34"},{"series":2,"x":131.8,"y":188.89,"xLabel":"U.S. average","yLabel":"$3.75"},{"series":0,"x":215.4,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"California","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":215.4,"y":418.8,"xLabel":"California","yLabel":"$0.74"},{"series":2,"x":215.4,"y":77.66,"xLabel":"California","yLabel":"$4.97"},{"series":0,"x":299,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Washington","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":299,"y":428.05,"xLabel":"Washington","yLabel":"$0.60"},{"series":2,"x":299,"y":124.75,"xLabel":"Washington","yLabel":"$4.42"},{"series":0,"x":382.6,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Colorado","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":382.6,"y":448.64,"xLabel":"Colorado","yLabel":"$0.30"},{"series":2,"x":382.6,"y":175.9,"xLabel":"Colorado","yLabel":"$3.97"},{"series":0,"x":466.2,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Ohio","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":466.2,"y":442.93,"xLabel":"Ohio","yLabel":"$0.39"},{"series":2,"x":466.2,"y":181.24,"xLabel":"Ohio","yLabel":"$3.81"},{"series":0,"x":549.8,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"New York","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":549.8,"y":452.76,"xLabel":"New York","yLabel":"$0.24"},{"series":2,"x":549.8,"y":190.25,"xLabel":"New York","yLabel":"$3.82"},{"series":0,"x":633.4,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Minnesota","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":633.4,"y":446.91,"xLabel":"Minnesota","yLabel":"$0.33"},{"series":2,"x":633.4,"y":197.31,"xLabel":"Minnesota","yLabel":"$3.64"},{"series":0,"x":717,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Massachusetts","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":717,"y":450.44,"xLabel":"Massachusetts","yLabel":"$0.28"},{"series":2,"x":717,"y":197.4,"xLabel":"Massachusetts","yLabel":"$3.69"},{"series":0,"x":800.6,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Florida","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":800.6,"y":441.83,"xLabel":"Florida","yLabel":"$0.40"},{"series":2,"x":800.6,"y":206.17,"xLabel":"Florida","yLabel":"$3.43"},{"series":0,"x":884.2,"y":469.37,"xLabel":"Texas","yLabel":"$0.18"},{"series":1,"x":884.2,"y":455.63,"xLabel":"Texas","yLabel":"$0.20"},{"series":2,"x":884.2,"y":232.6,"xLabel":"Texas","yLabel":"$3.25"}]}What's in a gallon: federal tax, state taxes and everything else, by state, October 2026$0.00$2.00$4.00$6.00U.S. averageCaliforniaColoradoOhioNew YorkMinnesotaFloridaTexasAreaFederal taxState taxes and feesFuel, refining, delivery and other costsFactHub · Dollars per gallon
Taxes are about 52 cents of the average gallon. Washington's gallon is 93 cents above average; higher state taxes explain 26 cents of that. View source chart

Common questions 9

“After inflation, gas cost more before the 2012 election than it does now.”

Our rating: True

In today's dollars, gas averaged $5.08 a gallon before the 2012 election, 81 cents more than this year's $4.27. It also beats 2026 using October averages.

See the evidence: After inflation, 2012 and 1980 were higher

“Workers have to work longer than ever to buy a gallon of gas.”

Our rating: False

A typical worker needs 7.9 minutes of pay for a gallon now, compared with 10.6 minutes before the 2012 election and 8.2 in 2022.

See the evidence: Measured against pay, gas took longer to earn in 2012 and 2022

“Higher gas taxes are behind this year's record gas price.”

Our rating: False

Since the 2022 election, the federal gas tax hasn't changed and average state gas taxes rose 2.9 cents, about 6% of the 47-cent price rise.

See the evidence: Gas taxes rose only a few cents since 2022

“Why is gas so much more expensive in Washington?”

Short answer: Taxes and a carbon price, mostly

Washington's $5.20 was 93 cents above the U.S. average on October 26. State taxes and fees of 60.2 cents explain 26 cents of the gap. Washington's carbon market, which fuel suppliers pay into, has added roughly 24 to 46 cents a gallon since 2023 by FactHub's earlier check. Together they account for most of the gap; the rest comes from other costs this check does not break down.

See the evidence: State prices differ by more than $2; taxes explain part of it

Deeper analysis: Washington's carbon market has added 24 to 46 cents a gallon to gasoline. — Washington's carbon market has added about 24 to 46 cents a gallon to gas since 2023, several times the state's 1-3% estimate.

“Is California's high price mostly taxes?”

Short answer: About a quarter of the gap

California's $5.89 was $1.62 above average, and its state taxes and fees were 40 cents above the average state. The state also requires a special, costlier gasoline blend, and its carbon and clean-fuel programs add costs EIA's tax table leaves out.

See the evidence: State prices differ by more than $2; taxes explain part of it

“Do states with high gas taxes always have high gas prices?”

Short answer: No

Florida's state taxes and fees, 40.1 cents, are above the 33.8-cent average, yet its price was 25 cents below the U.S. average. Texas has low taxes and low prices. Supply and distance from refineries matter too.

See the evidence: State prices differ by more than $2; taxes explain part of it

“The Post says gas is 37 cents above 2022. Why does this check say 47?”

Short answer: Different survey and date

EIA's weekly survey shows $4.269 on October 26, 2026 against $3.796 on November 7, 2022, a 47-cent gap. The Post's post doesn't name its price source, and other surveys and days give somewhat different numbers. Either way, the plain-dollar record holds.

See the evidence: Federal price survey: $4.27 is the highest pre-election price in plain dollars

“Doesn't adjusting for inflation hide how much gas prices hurt?”

Short answer: Partly

Inflation adjustment compares gas with everything else people buy, so it shows whether gas is unusually expensive, not whether budgets are tight. Pay tells a similar story: a gallon takes less work time than in 2012 or 2022. Families still feel the 47-cent rise since 2022 at the pump.

See the evidence: After inflation, 2012 and 1980 were higher

“Why does this check start in 1976?”

Short answer: The federal series starts there

The federal average price series for unleaded regular we used begins in 1976, and EIA's weekly survey begins in 1990. Older prices exist but come from different measures.

See the evidence: After inflation, 2012 and 1980 were higher

Conclusion

The Post is right in the way most people read prices. The U.S. average of $4.27 a gallon on October 26, 2026, the last federal reading before Election Day, is higher than before any national election in the federal record. It is 47 cents above the reading before the 2022 midterms.

A dollar in 2012 bought more than a dollar does now, though. Adjusted with the consumer price index, the same way the Energy Information Administration compares prices over time, gas cost $5.08 in today's dollars before the 2012 election and $4.94 before the 1980 election. This year's $4.27 ranks sixth of 26 elections, about level with 2010 and 2022. The ranking holds if we use each October's average instead of one Monday's reading.

Paychecks tell the same story. A typical worker needs 7.9 minutes of pay to buy a gallon, the same as in 2008 and less than in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2022.

Taxes are not why prices hit a record. The federal tax has been 18.4 cents since 1993, and the average state's taxes and fees rose 2.9 cents from 2022 to 2026, about 6% of the price increase.

Taxes do explain part of why prices differ between states. Washington's state taxes and fees are 60.2 cents, 26 cents above the average state, and its carbon program has added roughly 24 to 46 cents, by our earlier check. Florida shows taxes are not the whole story: its taxes are above average but its price is 25 cents below.

We rate the claim Mostly true with high confidence: the record holds in plain dollars, but not after inflation or measured against pay. The exact rank among 2010, 2022 and 2026 depends on which month's index is used.

How we checked
  1. Defined the claim as the Post wrote it: whether the U.S. average gas price before this Election Day is the highest before any national Election Day. Checked it in plain dollars, after inflation, and against pay.
  2. Pulled EIA's weekly U.S. average price for regular gasoline for the Monday before each Election Day, 1990-2026, and the BLS average price for October-December of 1976-1988.
  3. Converted each price to September 2026 dollars with the BLS consumer price index, as EIA does for its own real prices, and repeated the ranking with October averages.
  4. Divided each price by BLS average hourly earnings to get minutes of work per gallon.
  5. Compared state prices and EIA's state tax table for July 2022 and July 2026 to see how much taxes explain, using Washington as the main example.
  6. Recorded limits: different surveys before 1990, the latest index month, taxes the table leaves out, and only nine states with weekly prices.

Editorial note: Scope: the U.S. average price of regular gasoline before national elections, 1976-2026, plus a comparison of nine states in October 2026. We did not read the Post's full story, which is behind a paywall; we checked the claim as worded in its post. The 2026 price is EIA's October 26 reading, the last published before Election Day. No external specialist review has been recorded.

Expert-review status

No external specialist review has been recorded.

Funding and conflicts

Funding: No external funding for this piece.

Ownership: Published by the FactHub Research Team.

Conflicts: None known.

Sources 13

Sources are labeled by kind, with what this fact check takes from each, so readers can check the evidence independently.

  1. News report The Washington Post. Post on X: Gas prices are set to be highest for any Election Day in U.S. history (November 2, 2026)

    The Post's post linking its story, the afternoon before the 2026 midterm election.

    Reliability: The newspaper's official account. The post does not name its price survey; the story is paywalled.

    • The Post said gas prices are set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history, about 37 cents above 2022's record.

      What the source says
      Gas prices are set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history
      Post text
  2. Government U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

    EIA's weekly retail gasoline prices for the U.S., regions and nine states.

    Reliability: EIA surveys about 900 stations every Monday. The page showed October 26, 2026 as the latest reading when we checked.

    • EIA's weekly prices, including the $4.269 U.S. average on October 26, 2026, include all taxes.

      What the source says
      prices include all taxes
      Footnote under the price tables
  3. Government U.S. Energy Information Administration. Are the prices EIA publishes adjusted for inflation?

    EIA's explanation of nominal and inflation-adjusted (real) prices.

    Reliability: Official guidance from the agency that publishes the price data.

    • Qualifies: EIA's regular price figures, like the Post's record, are not adjusted for inflation; EIA publishes separate real prices for comparisons over time.

      What the source says
      Unless otherwise noted, our published prices are nominal prices.
      Answer, first paragraph
  4. Government U.S. Energy Information Administration. Short-Term Energy Outlook: Real Petroleum Prices

    EIA's method for converting fuel prices to today's dollars.

    Reliability: EIA's own method; FactHub used the same consumer price index ratio.

    • EIA converts fuel prices to today's dollars with the ratio of consumer price index values, the method used here.

      What the source says
      Real Petroleum Prices are computed by dividing the nominal price in a given month by the ratio of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in that month to the CPI in some "base" period.
      Introduction
  5. Government U.S. Energy Information Administration. Many states slightly increased their taxes and fees on gasoline in the past year (Today in Energy, February 12, 2026, reposted March 4, 2026)

    EIA analysis of state gasoline taxes and fees as of January 1, 2026.

    Reliability: Written by EIA analysts from the same tax table used here.

    • The federal gasoline tax, 18.4 cents a gallon, has not changed since October 1993.

      What the source says
      These state taxes do not include the federal gasoline tax of 18.4 c/gal and federal diesel tax of 24.4 c/gal, which have remained unchanged since October 1993
      Paragraph 3

    • Qualifies: Washington had one of the two largest state gas tax increases from January 2025 to January 2026, 6.2 cents a gallon.

      What the source says
      Two notable changes included Washington state’s increase of 6.2 c/gal
      Paragraph 2

    • Qualifies: California requires a special gasoline blend that costs more to make, on top of its taxes and fees.

      What the source says
      California requires a special blend of gasoline that requires more processing steps and more expensive blending components
      Final paragraph
  6. Government U.S. Energy Information Administration. Federal and state motor fuels taxes (fueltaxes.xlsx), July 2026 (revised) and July 2022 (revised)

    EIA's table of federal and state gasoline and diesel taxes and fees, compiled twice a year.

    Reliability: Compiled by EIA from state statutes and agencies; excludes local taxes and taxes on gross receipts.

    • The state tax figures used here are the rates in effect on July 1, 2026.

      What the source says
      State rates in effect as of July 1, 2026.
      July 2026 sheet, footnote 1

    • Qualifies: The table leaves out county and local taxes, so some states' full tax is higher than shown.

      What the source says
      exclusive of county and local taxes
      July 2026 sheet, footnote 1
  7. FactHub record FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation. FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices, at the time and after inflation

    Saved analysis of the U.S. pre-election gas price in plain and September 2026 dollars, 1976-2026.

    • In plain dollars, 2026's $4.27 is the highest pre-election price since 1976, ahead of $3.80 in 2022 and $3.49 in 2012.

    • Qualifies: In September 2026 dollars, the pre-election price was $5.08 in 2012 and $4.94 in 1980, both above 2026's $4.27.

  8. FactHub record FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices ranked after inflation. FactHub dataset: Election Day gas prices ranked after inflation

    Saved analysis ranking 26 elections by inflation-adjusted price.

    • Qualifies: After inflation, 2026 ranks sixth of 26 national elections since 1976, behind 2012, 1980, 1982, 2010 and 2022.

  9. FactHub record FactHub dataset: October-average check. FactHub dataset: October-average check

    Saved analysis repeating the ranking with October average prices, 1990-2026.

    • Qualifies: With October averages, 2012 is highest at $5.45 in today's dollars and 2026 ranks sixth of 19 elections since 1990.

  10. FactHub record FactHub dataset: minutes of work per gallon. FactHub dataset: minutes of work per gallon

    Saved analysis of the pre-election price divided by average hourly pay, 1990-2026.

    • Qualifies: A gallon took 7.9 minutes of pay before the 2026 election, against 10.6 in 2012, 8.8 in 2010, 8.7 in 2014 and 8.2 in 2022.

  11. FactHub record FactHub dataset: state prices and taxes vs the U.S. average. FactHub dataset: state prices and taxes vs the U.S. average

    Saved analysis comparing nine states' October 26, 2026 prices and July 2026 taxes with the U.S. average.

    • Qualifies: Washington's gas was $5.20, 93 cents above the U.S. average; its state taxes and fees, 60.2 cents, were 26 cents above the average state.

    • Qualifies: California's gas was $5.89, $1.62 above average; its state taxes and fees, 73.6 cents, were 40 cents above the average state.

    • Qualifies: Texas was 64 cents below average with taxes 14 cents below; Florida's taxes were 6 cents above average but its price was 25 cents below.

  12. FactHub record FactHub dataset: tax change vs price change since 2022. FactHub dataset: tax change vs price change since 2022

    Saved analysis comparing the 2022-2026 change in gas taxes with the change in the pre-election price.

    • The pre-election price rose 47.3 cents from 2022 to 2026; the federal tax was unchanged and average state taxes and fees rose 2.9 cents.

  13. FactHub record FactHub dataset: Washington gasoline price premium and carbon allowance costs. FactHub dataset: Washington gasoline price premium and carbon allowance costs, 2015-2026

    Saved analysis of Washington's gas price premium since its carbon market began in 2023.

    • Qualifies: Against seven states without fuel carbon pricing, Washington's gas carried a premium of about 24 to 46 cents a gallon each year from 2023 to 2026, tracking carbon allowance prices.

  14. FactHub dataset U.S. Election Day gas prices in dollars, after inflation and in work time, 1976-2026, with state taxes

    • Tables: election-eve-gas

      Table election-eve-gas; analysis nominal-real-series

    • Tables: state-taxes-prices

      Table state-taxes-prices; analysis state-tax-gaps

    • Gas prices are set to be the highest for any Election Day in U.S. history, as the issue weighs heavily on voters’ minds. The average gas price is roughly 37 cents higher than prices heading into the 2022 midterm election, which held the previous record.
      The Washington Post, Newspaper (official X account), · In the dataset
  15. FactHub chart election-day-gas-real-vs-nominal
  16. FactHub chart election-day-gas-minutes-of-work
  17. FactHub chart gas-price-taxes-by-state-2026

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