Gasoline prices are setting October records, leaving RV owners facing higher fuel bills even after recent price declines.
In its October 8 report, AAA said pump prices are the highest ever recorded for this time of year. It also said 2026 is the first year the national average has topped $4 a gallon in October.
Prices dipped slightly this week. Even so, regular gasoline averaged $4.37 a gallon on October 9, according to AAA’s daily data. A year ago it was $3.11.
AAA pointed to crude oil, which rebounded after briefly dipping into the $80-per-barrel range. It also said Hurricane Isaias could push prices higher if the storm disrupts oil production or refineries.
Diesel owners are paying even more
Gas is up about 41% from a year ago. Diesel is up nearly 71%, to $6.28 a gallon. That’s about $2.60 more per gallon than last October.
| National average per gallon | Regular gasoline | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| October 9, 2026 | $4.37 | $6.28 |
| One week earlier | $4.40 | $6.37 |
| One year earlier | $3.11 | $3.68 |
Diesel sits about 25 cents below its all-time record of $6.53, set on September 22 of this year. Gasoline remains under its record of $5.02 from June 2022.
What that adds to an RV trip
Take a 1,000-mile trip in a rig averaging 8 mpg. That works out to 125 gallons of fuel.
- Gas: about $546 today, compared with $389 a year ago, or roughly $158 more.
- Diesel: about $785 today, compared with $460 a year ago, or roughly $325 more.
Your own numbers will depend on your rig and where you fill up.
Prices vary widely by region
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest weekly survey showed prices falling nationally. Regular gasoline averaged $4.35 for the week of October 5, down 11 cents. Diesel fell 18 cents to $6.20, and it dropped in every region.
Gasoline was a different story out West. Prices there held steady while every other region fell.
Where you drive makes a big difference:
| Region (EIA, week of Oct. 5) | Regular gasoline | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast | $3.91 | $5.82 |
| West Coast | $5.73 | $7.23 |
| West Coast without California | $5.12 | $6.49 |
AAA’s state averages show the same spread. Ohio and Indiana have the cheapest gas in the country, at about $3.71 and $3.72. California sits at the top at $6.34.
Before you head out, check prices along your actual route. On a long haul, timing a few fill-ups in cheaper states can make a real dent in the fuel bill.
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