In 1986, gas averaged $0.82 nationally — $2.40 in today’s money
regular, at the pump in 1986
inflation-adjusted (CPI-U)
The average U.S. price of a gallon of regular gasoline across 1986, 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 1986 ranks in the 1970–1999 record
The 24th-most-expensive year on record — the 7th-cheapest of 30 years.
The 21st-highest pump price on record — before adjusting for inflation.
1986 is an annual-average year
EIA’s weekly and monthly U.S. retail gasoline series begin in 2000, so for 1986 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.
1986 vs. the years on either side
U.S. gas prices in 1986, answered
- What was the average price of gas in 1986?
- The U.S. average price of regular gasoline in 1986 was $0.82 per gallon — about $2.40 in 2025 dollars after adjusting for inflation, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
- How does 1986 rank for gas prices in U.S. history?
- Adjusted for inflation, 1986 was the 24th-most-expensive year for regular gasoline out of the 30 years on record (1970–1999). In raw at-the-pump dollars it ranks 21st.
- Were gas prices higher in 1986 than in 1985?
- Adjusted for inflation, regular gasoline was cheaper in 1986 than in 1985, down 26.1% year over year ($3.24 → $2.40 in 2025 dollars).
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. 1986 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.