# Gas prices under Barack Obama, 2009–2017

Source page: https://govargus.com/presidents/obama/gas-price

Under Barack Obama, the price of regular gasoline went from $1.69 in Dec 2008 to $2.23 in Dec 2016, up $0.54 (+32.0%). That is +$0.07/yr, against −$0.05/yr in the four years before. Ranked by yearly change, it is the 3rd-fastest rise of the 8 completed terms since 1977.

Gasoline price (regular, per gallon): Average US retail price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline (CPI average price data). In dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation; mostly set by world oil prices. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, via FRED APU000074714 (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU000074714), fetched Oct 19, 2026.

## Year by year

Highest reading during the term: $3.93 in May 2011. Lowest: $1.69 in Dec 2008.

| Period | Value | Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dec 2008, before inauguration | $1.69 |  |
| Dec 2009 | $2.62 | +$0.93 |
| Dec 2010 | $2.99 | +$0.36 |
| Dec 2011 | $3.28 | +$0.29 |
| Dec 2012 | $3.33 | +$0.05 |
| Dec 2013 | $3.28 | −$0.05 |
| Dec 2014 | $2.56 | −$0.72 |
| Dec 2015 | $2.06 | −$0.50 |
| Dec 2016 | $2.23 | +$0.17 |

## Every term

Sorted by yearly change, fastest rise first. A term's first year mostly reflects the previous administration's policies, and Congress, the Federal Reserve and the world economy move these numbers too. Govargus describes; it does not score presidents.

| President | Term | During term | 4 years before |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Donald Trump (2nd term) | 2025–present | $3.15 → $4.48 (+$0.76/yr, through Sep 2026) | +$0.24/yr |
| Joe Biden | 2021–2025 | $2.17 → $3.15 (+$0.24/yr) | −$0.02/yr |
| Jimmy Carter | 1977–1981 | $0.63 → $1.26 (+$0.16/yr) | — |
| Barack Obama | 2009–2017 | $1.69 → $2.23 (+$0.07/yr) | −$0.05/yr |
| George H. W. Bush | 1989–1993 | $0.93 → $1.14 (+$0.05/yr) | −$0.07/yr |
| Bill Clinton | 1993–2001 | $1.14 → $1.49 (+$0.04/yr) | +$0.05/yr |
| George W. Bush | 2001–2009 | $1.49 → $1.69 (+$0.02/yr) | +$0.06/yr |
| Donald Trump (1st term) | 2017–2021 | $2.23 → $2.17 (−$0.02/yr) | −$0.28/yr |
| Ronald Reagan | 1981–1989 | $1.26 → $0.93 (−$0.04/yr) | +$0.16/yr |