And in today’s dollars, was it that much less?
We’re all feeling the pinch in our wallets as gas prices creep back up to pre-2014 prices. USA Today’s 24/7 Wall Street details the price of a gallon of gas for most of the past 100 years.
How much did your parents pay to fill the tank the year you were born?
1929
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.21 ($2.41)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.27 ($14.30)
U.S. oil production: 2.8 million barrels per day
1930
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.20 ($2.33)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.19 ($13.91)
U.S. oil production: 2.5 million barrels per day
1931
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.17 ($2.21)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $0.65 ($8.47)
U.S. oil production: 2.3 million barrels per day
1932
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.18 ($2.65)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $0.87 ($12.84)
U.S. oil production: 2.1 million barrels per day
1933
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.18 ($2.70)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $0.67 ($10.17)
U.S. oil production: 2.5 million barrels per day
1934
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.19 ($2.71)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.00 ($14.38)
U.S. oil production: 2.5 million barrels per day
1935
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.19 ($2.66)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $0.97 ($13.67)
U.S. oil production: 2.7 million barrels per day
1936
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.19 ($2.71)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.09 ($15.18)
U.S. oil production: 3.0 million barrels per day
1937
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.20 ($2.67)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.18 ($15.75)
U.S. oil production: 3.5 million barrels per day
1938
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.20 ($2.68)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.13 ($15.53)
U.S. oil production: 3.3 million barrels per day
1939
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.19 ($2.60)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.02 ($14.15)
U.S. oil production: 3.5 million barrels per day
1940
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.18 ($2.52)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.02 ($13.98)
U.S. oil production: 4.1 million barrels per day
1941
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.19 ($2.47)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.14 ($14.64)
U.S. oil production: 3.8 million barrels per day
1942
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.20 ($2.43)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.19 ($14.16)
U.S. oil production: 3.8 million barrels per day
1943
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.21 ($2.34)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.20 ($13.65)
U.S. oil production: 4.1 million barrels per day
1944
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.21 ($2.29)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.21 ($13.45)
U.S. oil production: 4.6 million barrels per day
1945
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.20 ($2.22)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.22 ($13.22)
U.S. gas consumption: 579.3 million barrels
Per capita consumption: 173.9 gallon
U.S. oil production: 4.7 million barrels per day
1946
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.21 ($1.99)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.41 ($13.53)
U.S. gas consumption: 722.5 million barrels
Per capita consumption: 214.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 4.7 million barrels per day
1947
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.23 ($2.00)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $1.93 ($16.69)
U.S. gas consumption: 773.4 million barrels
Per capita consumption: 225.4 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.1 million barrels per day
1948
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.26 ($2.12)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.60 ($21.30)
U.S. gas consumption: 834.6 million barrels
Per capita consumption: 239.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.5 million barrels per day
1949
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.20)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.54 ($20.84)
U.S. gas consumption: 879.7 million barrels
Per capita consumption: 247.7 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.0 million barrels per day
1950
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.17)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.51 ($20.35)
U.S. gas consumption: 954.8 million barrels
Per capita consumption: 263.3 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.4 million barrels per day
1951
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.06)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.53 ($19.16)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 295.5 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.2 million barrels per day
1952
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.27 ($2.04)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.53 ($18.83)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 288.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.3 million barrels per day
1953
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.29 ($2.11)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.68 ($19.71)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 297.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.5 million barrels per day
1954
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.29 ($2.11)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.78 ($20.25)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.2 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 300.3 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.3 million barrels per day
1955
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.29 ($2.08)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.77 ($19.84)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 320.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.8 million barrels per day
1956
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($2.07)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.79 ($19.32)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 322.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.2 million barrels per day
1957
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($2.08)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.09 ($20.71)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 322.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.2 million barrels per day
1958
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.99)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.01 ($19.73)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 325.3 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.7 million barrels per day
1959
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.97)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.90 ($18.75)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 332.7 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.1 million barrels per day
1960
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.98)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.88 ($18.37)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.5 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 337.7 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.0 million barrels per day
1961
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.94)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.89 ($18.23)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.5 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 337.4 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.2 million barrels per day
1962
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.91)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.90 ($18.07)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.5 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 345.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.3 million barrels per day
1963
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.87)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.89 ($17.81)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 351.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.5 million barrels per day
1964
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.30 ($1.84)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.88 ($17.48)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 352.7 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.6 million barrels per day
1965
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.31 ($1.86)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.86 ($17.04)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.7 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 362.3 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.8 million barrels per day
1966
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.32 ($1.86)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.88 ($16.69)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.8 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 375.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.3 million barrels per day
1967
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.33 ($1.87)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.92 ($16.45)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.8 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 382.5 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.8 million barrels per day
1968
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.34 ($1.82)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $2.94 ($15.88)
U.S. gas consumption: 1.9 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 402.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.1 million barrels per day
1969
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.35 ($1.79)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.09 ($15.91)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.0 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 418.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.2 million barrels per day
1970
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.36 ($1.75)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.18 ($15.55)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 432.5 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.6 million barrels per day
1971
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.36 ($1.69)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.39 ($15.78)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.2 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 444.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.5 million barrels per day
1972
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.36 ($1.61)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.39 ($15.13)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 467.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.4 million barrels per day
1973
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.39 ($1.64)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $3.89 ($16.46)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 482.8 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.2 million barrels per day
1974
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.53 ($2.07)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $6.87 ($26.67)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 468.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.8 million barrels per day
1975
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.57 ($2.01)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $7.67 ($27.26)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 473.8 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.4 million barrels per day
1976
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.59 ($1.99)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $8.19 ($27.59)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 491.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.1 million barrels per day
1977
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.62 ($1.97)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $8.57 ($27.18)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 499.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.2 million barrels per day
1978
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.63 ($1.86)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $9.00 ($26.67)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 510.5 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.7 million barrels per day
1979
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.86 ($2.35)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $12.64 ($34.61)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 479.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.6 million barrels per day
1980
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.19 ($2.99)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $21.59 ($54.22)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 445.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.6 million barrels per day
1981
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.31 ($3.01)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $31.77 ($72.97)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 440.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.6 million barrels per day
1982
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.22 ($2.64)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $28.52 ($61.68)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 432.7 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.6 million barrels per day
1983
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.16 ($2.41)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $26.19 ($54.49)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 434.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.7 million barrels per day
1984
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.13 ($2.27)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $25.88 ($52.00)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 436.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.9 million barrels per day
1985
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.12 ($2.17)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $24.09 ($46.90)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.5 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 440.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.0 million barrels per day
1986
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.86 ($1.64)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $12.51 ($23.87)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 449.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.7 million barrels per day
1987
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.90 ($1.67)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.40 ($28.66)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 455.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.3 million barrels per day
1988
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $0.90 ($1.62)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $12.58 ($22.62)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 461.3 gallon
U.S. oil production: 8.1 million barrels per day
1989
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.00 ($1.73)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.86 ($27.45)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 455.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.6 million barrels per day
1990
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.15 ($1.92)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $20.03 ($33.43)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 444.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.4 million barrels per day
1991
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.14 ($1.84)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $16.54 ($26.72)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.6 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 437.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.4 million barrels per day
1992
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.13 ($1.78)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.99 ($25.25)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 438.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.2 million barrels per day
1993
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.11 ($1.71)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $14.25 ($21.98)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.7 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 444.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.8 million barrels per day
1994
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.11 ($1.68)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $13.19 ($19.92)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.8 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 447.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.7 million barrels per day
1995
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.15 ($1.70)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $14.62 ($21.63)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.8 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 454.3 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.6 million barrels per day
1996
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.23 ($1.79)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $18.46 ($26.82)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.9 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 457.3 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.5 million barrels per day
1997
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.23 ($1.76)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $17.23 ($24.61)
U.S. gas consumption: 2.9 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 458.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.5 million barrels per day
1998
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.06 ($1.50)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $10.87 ($15.36)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.0 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 468.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.3 million barrels per day
1999
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.17 ($1.62)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $15.56 ($21.66)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 474.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.9 million barrels per day
2000
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.51 ($2.06)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $26.72 ($36.36)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 461.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.8 million barrels per day
2001
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.46 ($1.94)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $21.84 ($29.06)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.1 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 463.2 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.8 million barrels per day
2002
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.36 ($1.78)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $22.51 ($29.50)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 471.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.7 million barrels per day
2003
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.59 ($2.04)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $27.56 ($35.41)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 472.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.6 million barrels per day
2004
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $1.88 ($2.35)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $36.77 ($45.98)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 478.0 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.4 million barrels per day
2005
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.30 ($2.78)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $50.28 ($60.92)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 475.1 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.2 million barrels per day
2006
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.59 ($3.04)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $59.69 ($70.16)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 475.4 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.1 million barrels per day
2007
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.80 ($3.21)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $66.52 ($76.16)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 472.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.1 million barrels per day
2008
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.27 ($3.67)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $94.04 ($105.60)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 454.4 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.0 million barrels per day
2009
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.35 ($2.62)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $56.35 ($62.80)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 449.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.3 million barrels per day
2010
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.79 ($3.07)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $74.71 ($82.26)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 445.6 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.5 million barrels per day
2011
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.53 ($3.80)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $95.73 ($103.27)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 430.5 gallons
U.S. oil production: 5.6 million barrels per day
2012
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.64 ($3.86)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $94.52 ($100.12)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 424.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 6.5 million barrels per day
2013
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.53 ($3.68)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $95.99 ($100.06)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.2 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 428.4 gallons
U.S. oil production: 7.5 million barrels per day
2014
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $3.37 ($3.45)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $87.39 ($89.49)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.3 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 428.8 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.8 million barrels per day
2015
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.45 ($2.48)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $44.39 ($44.97)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 437.8 gallons
U.S. oil production: 9.4 million barrels per day
2016
Price per gallon (inflation adj.): $2.14 ($2.14)
Price per barrel (inflation adj.): $38.29 ($38.29)
U.S. gas consumption: 3.4 billion barrels
Per capita consumption: 442.9 gallons
U.S. oil production: 8.9 million barrels per day