Fact Check: Regular gasoline prices averaged $3.13 a gallon Friday.

Fact Check: "Regular gasoline prices averaged $3.13 a gallon Friday."

What We Know

The claim that "regular gasoline prices averaged $3.13 a gallon Friday" is based on various reports regarding gasoline prices in the United States. According to the AAA, the national average for regular gas was indeed reported at $3.13 per gallon on a recent Friday. However, this figure is not consistent across all reports. For instance, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that the average price for regular-grade gasoline in 2023 was $3.52 per gallon, which is significantly higher than the claim. Furthermore, the average price fluctuated throughout the year, with prices reaching as high as $3.88 in mid-September 2023.

Analysis

While the AAA report suggests that the average price was $3.13 on a specific Friday, this figure appears to be an outlier compared to the broader data available. The EIA provides a more comprehensive view, indicating that the average price for regular gasoline was $3.52 for the year 2023. This discrepancy raises questions about the reliability of the AAA's figure, especially since it is lower than the overall annual average reported by the EIA.

Moreover, the context of regional variations in gasoline prices should also be considered. The EIA notes that prices can vary significantly by region, with the lowest average prices found on the Gulf Coast at $3.09 and the highest on the West Coast at $4.51. This regional disparity suggests that while $3.13 may have been accurate for certain areas, it does not reflect the national average.

In addition, the Finder report indicates that the national average gas price was $3.12, which is still higher than the claim. This further supports the argument that the claim may not accurately represent the national average across all regions.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "regular gasoline prices averaged $3.13 a gallon Friday" is misleading. While this figure may have been reported by AAA for a specific day, it does not align with the broader data from the EIA, which shows a higher average of $3.52 per gallon for the year 2023. Additionally, regional variations in gasoline prices further complicate the accuracy of this claim, making it unreliable as a representation of national averages.

Sources

1. In 2023, U.S. annual average retail gasoline prices were 40 cents a ...
2. Weekly U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline ...
3. Gas prices US | Weekly gas price averages: 2018-2025 - finder.com
4. Mapped: Gas Prices in Every U.S. State - Visual Capitalist
5. List of Gas Prices by State | SoFi
6. Gas Prices Over Time (2025) - WalletHub
7. AAA Fuel Prices
8. What the Israel-Iran conflict means for gas prices - MSN