The national average price for regular gasoline has settled at $4.106 per gallon as of July 31, according to data released by AAA. This follows a period of volatility where prices had risen by 20 cents compared to June levels, according to a July 27 report from Telemundo 48 El Paso.
Recent Trends in Fuel Costs
The recent stabilization comes after a notable surge in fuel costs earlier in the summer. On July 27, 2026, Telemundo 48 El Paso reported that the national average for gasoline had exceeded $4.11 per gallon, marking a 20-cent increase over the average recorded in June.
As of the July 31 data published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the retail price for regular gasoline in the United States averaged $4.10 per gallon, representing a slight decrease of 0.1% from previous levels. This retail figure aligns closely with AAA's specific reporting of $4.106 per gallon for the same date.
Wholesale Market Fluctuations
While retail consumers saw a marginal decrease in gasoline prices at the end of July, wholesale energy markets displayed more significant fluctuations. According to the Energy Information Administration, the wholesale price for diesel in the United States averaged $5.36 per gallon on July 31, an increase of 0.2%.
In the wholesale petroleum market, regional pricing varied significantly. The EIA reported that the NY Harbor price for low-sulfur diesel stood at $4.16 per gallon, while the Gulf Coast price was slightly lower at $4.13 per gallon. Los Angeles recorded the highest wholesale diesel price at $4.26 per gallon.
Crude oil prices also showed upward movement in the wholesale sector. The EIA reported that the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price rose by 1.2% to $86.16 per barrel, while Brent crude oil saw a much sharper increase of 5.5%, reaching $96.95 per barrel. Louisiana Light crude oil also saw a 1.2% increase to $88.01 per barrel.
Regional Wholesale Variations
The complexity of energy pricing is further illustrated by the wide gap between retail consumer costs and wholesale spot prices. While regular gasoline retail prices hovered around $4.10, the wholesale price for heating oil in NY Harbor reached $4.03 per gallon on July 31, according to the EIA.
Other energy commodities showed varied performance on July 31. Propane prices in Mont Belvieu, Texas, dropped by 1.7% to $0.66 per gallon. Similarly, the Gulf Coast price for heating oil saw a 1.8% decline to $3.97 per gallon. In the gasoline sector, wholesale prices in Los Angeles were reported at $3.61 per gallon, a 0.9% decrease, whereas NY Harbor and Gulf Coast prices for gasoline (RBOB) were both recorded at $3.24 per gallon, representing decreases of 1.0% and 1.2% respectively.
Data Collection and Methodology
AAA provides daily updates on gasoline, diesel, and E-85 prices through its Oil Price Information Service (OPIS). The organization surveys up to 120,000 stations every day in cooperation with WEX, Inc. to ensure statistical reliability for its national and local averages.
AAA also provides specific data regarding E-85 fuel. Because E-85 delivers approximately 25 percent fewer BTUs by volume than conventional gasoline, AAA calculates a BTU-adjusted price. This adjustment is intended to help consumers understand the cost implications and energy efficiency of choosing E-85 over conventional fuel options.
Broader Economic Indicators
As of the end of July, broader financial indicators showed slight growth alongside energy shifts. The EIA reported that the Commodity Price Index rose by 0.4% to 5469.42, while the S&P 500 Index increased by 0.7% to 7489.72.
