What was the average price of gas in 1990?

The U.S. average price of regular gasoline in 1990 was $1.10 per gallon — about $2.70 in 2025 dollars after adjusting for inflation, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.

How does 1990 rank for gas prices in U.S. history?

Adjusted for inflation, 1990 was the 15th-most-expensive year for regular gasoline out of the 30 years on record (1970–1999). In raw at-the-pump dollars it ranks 9th.

Were gas prices higher in 1990 than in 1989?

Adjusted for inflation, regular gasoline was more expensive in 1990 than in 1989, up 7.9% year over year ($2.51 → $2.70 in 2025 dollars).

In 1990, gas averaged $1.10 nationally — $2.70 in today’s money

U.S. average · that year

$1.10

regular, at the pump in 1990

In 2025 dollars

$2.70

inflation-adjusted (CPI-U)

The average U.S. price of a gallon of regular gasoline across 1990, 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.

Where it stands

How 1990 ranks in the 1970–1999 record

Adjusted for inflation

The 15th-most-expensive year on record — the 16th-cheapest of 30 years.

At the pump (nominal)

The 9th-highest pump price on record — before adjusting for inflation.

Annual figure only

1990 is an annual-average year

EIA’s weekly and monthly U.S. retail gasoline series begin in 2000, so for 1990 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.

Year over year

1990 vs. the years on either side

vs. prior year · 1989

+7.9%

adjusted for inflation · +13.7% at the pump

1989 averaged $0.96 ($2.51 in 2025 $)

vs. following year · 1991

+6.4%

adjusted for inflation · +2.1% at the pump

1991 averaged $1.07 ($2.54 in 2025 $)

The year in context

1990 and the Gulf War oil-price shock

1990 coincided with the Gulf War oil-price shock. Adjusted for inflation, the year’s average of $2.70 ranks 15th-highest in the 1970–1999 record, against the all-time adjusted peak of $4.66 in 1981.

Common questions

U.S. gas prices in 1990, answered

What was the average price of gas in 1990?: The U.S. average price of regular gasoline in 1990 was $1.10 per gallon — about $2.70 in 2025 dollars after adjusting for inflation, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
How does 1990 rank for gas prices in U.S. history?: Adjusted for inflation, 1990 was the 15th-most-expensive year for regular gasoline out of the 30 years on record (1970–1999). In raw at-the-pump dollars it ranks 9th.
Were gas prices higher in 1990 than in 1989?: Adjusted for inflation, regular gasoline was more expensive in 1990 than in 1989, up 7.9% year over year ($2.51 → $2.70 in 2025 dollars).

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Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. 1990 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.