US Gas Prices Hit September Record of $4.48 a Gallon

The national average for regular gasoline hit $4.48 per gallon this September, an all-time high for this point in the year and a jump of nearly 5 cents in a single week, according to AAA Gas Prices.

The figure defies seasonal patterns. Fuel prices typically fall as autumn begins. This year they are climbing.

AAA attributes the spike primarily to ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and robust crude oil prices. The average price for September currently stands at $4.30 per gallon, eclipsing last year's September record of $3.83. The company's data suggests further increases are possible this season as gasoline demand and production continue to fluctuate.

The oil market is backing the move. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $92.16 per barrel at the close of the last trading session, up $1.64.

Supply-side data from the Energy Information Administration points to tightening fundamentals. Gasoline demand rose from 8.79 million barrels per day to 8.84 million. Production slipped from 9.64 million barrels per day to 9.59 million. Total domestic gasoline supply fell from 207.7 million barrels to 206 million.

The Squeeze on Small Business

The implications are direct for businesses that run vehicle fleets for deliveries, customer visits, or mobile services. Rising fuel expenses compress profit margins, forcing owners to reassess operational costs and, in some cases, revisit pricing strategies.

"Small businesses might need to prepare for an additional budgetary burden," a representative from AAA said. He emphasized that with gasoline prices climbing, adjustments in financial forecasting to account for these fluctuations would be prudent for business owners.

The EV Option

One alternative is gaining traction. Public electric vehicle charging costs have stabilized at an average of 42 cents per kilowatt-hour. For some business owners, transitioning to electric vehicles could mitigate fuel costs over the long run. The upfront math is less favorable: infrastructure investments and the initial cost of purchasing EVs and installing charging stations remain significant hurdles.

AAA's TripTik Travel planner offers a tactical tool for the interim. It provides real-time information on gas and electric charging prices along routes, letting business owners plan travel expenses with more precision.

Regional Spread

The pain is unevenly distributed. California carries the highest state average at $6.23 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.57. Texas sits at the bottom at $3.95. That spread matters for companies operating across multiple states, where fuel budgeting can vary by more than $2 per gallon depending on geography.

Consumer behavior is a second-order risk. As gas prices rise, some customers may reconsider their travel habits, cutting into local foot traffic. Companies offering delivery services could find openings to optimize logistics and capture demand from customers who stay home.

With demand rising, production falling, and geopolitical risk in the Strait of Hormuz unresolved, small business owners face a season in which fuel costs stay volatile — and budget forecasts built on last year's $3.83 baseline will need rewriting.