In 1971, gas averaged $0.35 nationally — $2.77 in today’s money
regular, at the pump in 1971
inflation-adjusted (CPI-U)
The average U.S. price of a gallon of regular gasoline across 1971, shown both as it was at the pump and adjusted for inflation to constant 2025 dollars. For years before 2000 this comes from EIA’s State Energy Data System (all-grades motor gasoline) and is approximate; from 2000 on it is the average of EIA’s monthly regular-grade retail prices.
How 1971 ranks in the 1970–1999 record
The 14th-most-expensive year on record — the 17th-cheapest of 30 years.
The 28th-highest pump price on record — before adjusting for inflation.
1971 is an annual-average year
EIA’s weekly and monthly U.S. retail gasoline series begin in 2000, so for 1971 only an annual figure is available — there is no intra-year weekly high and low to chart. The value above is EIA’s State Energy Data System estimate (all-grades motor gasoline) and is approximate.
1971 vs. the years on either side
U.S. gas prices in 1971, answered
- What was the average price of gas in 1971?
- The U.S. average price of regular gasoline in 1971 was $0.35 per gallon — about $2.77 in 2025 dollars after adjusting for inflation, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
- How does 1971 rank for gas prices in U.S. history?
- Adjusted for inflation, 1971 was the 14th-most-expensive year for regular gasoline out of the 30 years on record (1970–1999). In raw at-the-pump dollars it ranks 28th.
- Were gas prices higher in 1971 than in 1970?
- Adjusted for inflation, regular gasoline was cheaper in 1971 than in 1970, down 2.4% year over year ($2.84 → $2.77 in 2025 dollars).
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. 1971 is from EIA’s State Energy Data System (all-grades motor gasoline), the only EIA series reaching before 2000, and is approximate — it runs roughly 4% below the post-2000 retail series. Inflation adjustment uses the BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), constant 2025 dollars.