This Labor Day is setting a record for gas prices. David McNew/Getty Images
AAA expects this will be the priciest Labor Day ever for gas, with averages above $4 a gallon.
Oil and gas prices across the US have remained high amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.
California has the highest average fuel price, inching closer to $6 a gallon since August.
Since the beginning of the Iran war in late February and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Americans have been feeling the effects at the gas pump.
After the conflict started, prices rose sharply across the US. AAA data show the national average peaked in May at roughly $4.56 per gallon, then zigzagged through the end of August, averaging $4.09. Now, as average prices continue to creep up, hitting $4.15 on Friday, AAA expects this to be the most expensive Labor Day on record for gas.
To provide a snapshot of where prices stood heading into the holiday weekend, Business Insider used AAA data to calculate the percent change in gas prices in the 10 priciest and the 10 cheapest states from August 27 to September 4. We also looked at the gas prices on September 4 and compared them with prices reported one year ago.
“The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day. The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on September 3, 2012,” AAA said in a press release. “Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil.”
Still, there are a few ways travelers could score cheaper gas. Chevron rolled out a summer discount for new rewards members, offering $1 off per gallon for up to five fill-ups at participating stations. Maverik, a gas-station chain with stores across the Midwest and western US, has offered eligible customers 15 cents off per gallon since May 12; the promotion ends on Labor Day.
Here are the states with the highest and lowest gas prices nationwide in August.
10. Utah
A customer pays at a fuel pump at a Costco gas station in Spanish Fork, Utah, on March 10, 2026. (Photo by Michael Yanow/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Michael Yanow/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.40
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.42
Percent change from late August: 0.5% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.32
Percent change from one year ago: 33.3% increase
9. Wyoming
LINGLE, WY – MARCH 22: A motorist pumps unleaded gas at a gas station on March 22, 2026 in Lingle, Wyoming. Gas prices have risen more than $1 due to geopolitical tensions in Iran, which have caused crude oil costs to rise. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) Al Drago/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.41
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.37
Percent change from late August: 0.9% decrease
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.14
Percent change from one year ago: 39.1% increase
8. Arizona
Drivers refuel vehicles at a Pilot gas station in Eloy, Arizona, US, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. US diesel rose above $5 a gallon for the first time since December 2022, the latest sign of surging fuel price pressures menacing the global economy as the war in Iran continues to disrupt energy supplies. Photographer: Rebecca Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.54
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.53
Percent change from late August: 0.2% decrease
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.49
Percent change from one year ago: 29.8% increase
7. Idaho
Union 76 gas station along city street, northern Idaho. (Photo by: Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) : Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.57
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.62
Percent change from late August: 1.1% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.47
Percent change from one year ago: 33.1% increase
6. Oregon
A price board is seen at a gas station in Oregon, the United States, July 13, 2022. U.S. consumer price index CPI, a broad measure of everyday goods and services, soared 9.1 percent in June from a year ago, marking the largest 12-month increase since the period ending November 1981, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. (Photo by Wang Ying/Xinhua via Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.76
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.00
Percent change from late August: 5.0% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.98
Percent change from one year ago: 25.5% increase
4. Nevada (tie)
An Exxon Mobil gas station in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Exxon Mobil Corp. is scheduled to release earnings figures on on July 28. Photographer: Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.81
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.95
Percent change from late August: 2.9% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.84
Percent change from one year ago: 28.9% increase
4. Alaska (tie)
A Chevron gas station in Anchorage, Alaska, US, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. The Friday summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska’s largest military installation less than a thousand miles from Russia. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.81
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.00
Percent change from late August: 4.0% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.76
Percent change from one year ago: 33.0% increase
3. Washington
A driver refuels a vehicle with diesel fuel at a Chevron gas station in Seattle, Washington, US, on Monday, March 9, 2026. Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices have jumped, as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran chokes off oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $5.27
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.48
Percent change from late August: 4.0% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $4.40
Percent change from one year ago: 24.7% increase
2. Hawaii
A truck refuels at a Texaco gas station in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline rose six cents over the past week to hit $3.38. Hawaii ranks second in the nations top 10 most oil expensive markets, reports AAA. Photographer: Jenny Sathngam/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $5.41
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.42
Percent change from late August: 0.2% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $4.47
Percent change from one year ago: 21.1% increase
1. California
Drivers refuel vehicles at a Speedway gas station in Los Angeles, California, US, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Americans hit the peak of the summer driving season this July 4 holiday weekend wincing at the cost of gasoline, still running nearly a dollar a gallon higher than before the war with Iran despite falling sharply in recent weeks. Photographer: Mark Abramson/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $5.63
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.81
Percent change from late August: 3.2% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $4.61
Percent change from one year ago: 26.1% increase
41. Indiana
A Sunoco gas station is seen in Indiana, United States, on August 4, 2026. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.46
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.45
Percent change from late August: 0.3% decrease
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.23
Percent change from one year ago: 6.7% increase
42. Texas
Gas pumps at a Shell gas station is seen in Brazoria, Texas, on August 25, 2026. The US and Iran are approaching the six-month mark since military operations began on February 28, 2026, with the two nations remaining entrenched in a strategic stalemate. US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure through an aggressiveG RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.63
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.69
Percent change from late August: 1.7% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.78
Percent change from one year ago: 32.9% increase
43. Mississippi
Drivers wait in line to refuel at a gas station after Hurricane Ida in Hancock County, Mississippi, U.S., on Wednesday, Sep. 1, 2021. The electric utility that serves New Orleans has restored power to a small section of the city after Hurricane Ida devastated the region’s grid. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Gett Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.65
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.73
Percent change from late August: 2.2% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.73
Percent change from one year ago: 36.6% increase
44. South Carolina
People fill vehicles with fuel at a Royal Dutch Shell gas station on Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina, U.S., on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Motorists across a broad swath of the U.S. East Coast and South are struggling to find gasoline and diesel as filling stations run dry amid the unprecedented pipeline disruption caused by a criminal hack. Photographer: Micah Green/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.67
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.77
Percent change from late August: 2.7% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.87
Percent change from one year ago: 31.7% increase
45. Louisiana (tie)
A closed Conoco gas station ahead of Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S., on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. Hurricane Laura, which is roaring toward Louisiana and eastern Texas, threatens to become the eighth storm thats Category 4 or stronger to reach the U.S. Gulf Coast in modern history. Photographer: Bryan Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.69
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.77
Percent change from late August: 2.2% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.80
Percent change from one year ago: 34.6% increase
45. Tennessee (tie)
Customers fill their vehicles with gas at a Costco gas station in Tennessee. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.69
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.83
Percent change from late August: 3.8% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.85
Percent change from one year ago: 34.3% increase
47. Alabama
A customer fuels a vehicle at a Sunoco LP gas station in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Sunoco LP is scheduled to release earnings figures on November 7. Photographer: Matt Odom/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.71
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.80
Percent change from late August: 2.4% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.84
Percent change from one year ago: 34.0% increase
48. Kentucky
Fuel pumps at a Murphy USA gas station in La Grange, Kentucky, U.S., on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. Murphy USA Inc. is expected to release earnings figures on February 2. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.73
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.86
Percent change from late August: 3.5% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.94
Percent change from one year ago: 31.3% increase
49. Arkansas
A vehicle is refueled at an Exxon Mobil gas station in Little Rock, Arkansas, US, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Wall Street economists said the US risks a recession this year and inflation could return to pandemic levels following the Trump administration’s announcement of major tariffs on global trading partners. Photographer: Al Bloomberg/Getty Images
Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.74
Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.78
Percent change from late August: 1.1% increase
Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.81
Percent change from one year ago: 34.4% increase
50. North Carolina
A driver refuels a vehicle at a gas station in Wilmington, North Carolina, US, on Wednesday, July, 1, 2026. AAA projects 61.4 million people will travel by car over July 4th week, nearly the same number as last year when 61.3 million travelers took road trips. Photographer: Allison Joyce/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Getty Images
