America's Daily Gas Consumption: A Huge Appetite

how much gas does america use per day

Gasoline is one of the most consumed fuels in the United States, with Americans using about 376 million gallons of gasoline per day in 2023. This figure includes finished motor gasoline and finished aviation gasoline. The US is the biggest gasoline user globally, consuming almost 35% of the world's gasoline. Gasoline consumption varies across the states, with Texas and California accounting for the largest shares of total gasoline consumption. The average price of gasoline in the US is currently $3.171 per gallon, though this varies widely by state.

Characteristics Values
Gasoline consumption in 2023 137.05 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline, or about 376 million gallons per day
Gasoline consumption in 2022 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline, or about 368.63 million gallons per day
Gasoline consumption in 2024 8.62 million barrels per day in December 2024
Diesel consumption in 2024 3.59 million barrels per day in November 2024
Record-high daily consumption 392 million gallons in 2018

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Gasoline consumption in 2023: 376 million gallons per day

Gasoline is one of the most consumed fuels in the United States, with the country being the biggest gasoline user globally, consuming almost 35% of the world's gasoline. In 2023, the US consumed a total of 137.05 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline, which equates to approximately 376 million gallons per day. This figure represents an increase of almost 2% from 2022, when Americans used 134.55 billion gallons, or about 368.63 million gallons per day.

Texas and California have historically accounted for the largest shares of total US motor gasoline consumption. Motor gasoline is the main product that US oil refineries produce, and it is used in cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, and motorcycles. In 2022, total gasoline consumption accounted for about 57% of total energy consumption in the transportation sector and 16% of total US energy consumption.

The high level of gasoline consumption in the US has significant implications for the environment and the country's energy security. The combustion of gasoline contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and while there has been a push for the development of affordable, fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles, sales of fuel-guzzling sports utility vehicles remain high.

Fluctuations in gasoline prices in the US are largely driven by the price of crude oil. For example, gas prices surged in 2021 and 2022 due to supply shocks caused by the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As of July 2024, the average regular gas price in the US was $3.171 per gallon, with prices varying widely between states.

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Gasoline superusers: top 10% of gasoline consumers

In 2023, the US consumed about 376 million gallons of gasoline per day, which is about 8.94 million barrels per day. This figure is up by about 2% from 2022, when Americans used about 368.63 million gallons of gasoline per day. The US is the biggest gasoline user globally, consuming almost 35% of the world's gasoline.

Drivers in the top 10% in terms of their gasoline consumption are known as "Gasoline Superusers". These superusers are responsible for consuming 35% of all gasoline used by US private light-duty vehicles. On average, they spend 10% of their household income, approximately $530 per month, on gasoline. In total, they consume 40 billion gallons of gasoline annually out of the 115 billion gallons used by all US private light-duty vehicles. This amount is more than the total consumption of the bottom 72% of drivers combined.

Texas and California have historically accounted for the largest shares of total US motor gasoline consumption. Motor gasoline is one of the most consumed fuels in the US and is the main product of US oil refineries. Most of the finished motor gasoline sold for vehicles in the US is about 10% fuel ethanol by volume.

US consumers use gasoline in cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, and motorcycles. In 2022, total gasoline consumption accounted for about 57% of total energy consumption in the transportation sector and 16% of total energy consumption in the US. Light-duty vehicles, including cars, sport utility vehicles, and small trucks, account for about 91% of all gasoline consumption in the US.

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Gasoline prices: impacted by crude oil prices

In 2023, the United States consumed about 376 million gallons of gasoline per day, making it the world's biggest gasoline user, accounting for almost 35% of global consumption. Texas and California have historically accounted for the largest shares of total US motor gasoline consumption.

Gasoline prices are impacted by various factors, with the primary factor being the cost of crude oil, which accounts for around 50% of the price at the pump. When the cost of crude oil increases, gasoline prices tend to follow suit. Crude oil prices are influenced by several factors, including:

  • Geopolitics: For instance, Russia's aggression in Ukraine has contributed to recent gasoline price increases.
  • Global market fundamentals: Supply and demand, inventories, seasonality, financial market considerations, and expectations all play a role.
  • Production decisions: The amount of oil produced by organizations like OPEC+ can impact prices.
  • Trade policies: US trade policies can also cause volatility in oil prices.
  • Refining costs: These account for around 25% of the price of gasoline and vary seasonally and by region. Summer blends tend to be more expensive, and certain regions require specific formulations to reduce air emissions, which can impact costs.
  • Distribution and marketing costs: These account for around 11% of the price of gasoline and include pipeline, marine, truck, and rail costs.
  • Taxes: Federal, state, and local government taxes make up around 14% of the price of gasoline. As of January 1, 2024, federal and state taxes combined averaged about 57 cents per gallon.

Other factors that can influence gasoline prices include the cost of other blended ingredients like ethanol, seasonal demand (gasoline demand typically increases during the summer), and the octane level of the gasoline (higher octane fuel is more expensive). Additionally, the cost of doing business for gasoline retailers can vary depending on location, traffic patterns, rent, and sources of supply, all of which can impact the price of gasoline.

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Gasoline use by state: Texas and California highest

In 2022, Americans used approximately 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, including 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline (about 368.63 million gallons per day) and 0.19 billion gallons of finished aviation gasoline. The US is the biggest gasoline user globally, consuming almost 35% of the world's gasoline. Motor gasoline is one of the most consumed fuels in the US and is the primary product of US oil refineries.

Gasoline usage varies among the states, but Texas and California have historically accounted for the most significant proportion of total US motor gasoline consumption. This is due to several factors, including the large populations and corresponding high number of drivers in these states, as well as the prevalence of car culture and road trips in these regions. Additionally, the size of these states means longer distances are travelled, contributing to higher gasoline consumption.

Texas, known for its car culture, has a strong association with driving and road trips. The state's vast distances and sprawling highways encourage a driving lifestyle, contributing to its high gasoline consumption. California, on the other hand, has a unique blend of gasoline sold at retail, consisting of 90% petroleum-based gasoline and 10% ethanol, as specified by the California Air Resources Board. This blend is designed to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in the state, which has long struggled with smog and pollution issues, particularly in densely populated areas like Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The high gasoline consumption in Texas and California has implications for the environment and energy policies. With these two states leading the way in gasoline usage, it becomes crucial for policymakers to implement measures that encourage a shift towards cleaner energy sources and more efficient vehicles. Additionally, the large populations and high gasoline usage in these states can influence federal fuel efficiency standards and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, which is already underway.

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Gasoline sales: totalled $654 billion in 2023

In 2023, gasoline sales across the United States totalled $654 billion. This was a year in which gasoline consumption in the US averaged 376 million gallons per day, up almost 2% from 2022's average of 368.63 million gallons per day.

The US is the world's biggest consumer of gasoline, using almost 35% of the world's gasoline. In 2022, the US used about 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, including 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline and about 0.19 billion gallons of finished aviation gasoline. This was an increase from 2021, when the US consumed 134.55 billion gallons of gasoline. The record high for US gasoline consumption was in 2018, when Americans used about 143.08 billion gallons.

In 2023, the US consumed 137.05 billion gallons of gasoline, an average of 11.42 billion gallons per month. This was an increase of almost 2% from 2022, when the monthly average was 11.21 billion gallons. The US gasoline market has been thriving, with sales across various stations in the country totalling $654 billion in 2023. This was despite a decrease in domestic motor gasoline refinery production in recent years.

Frequently asked questions

In 2023, the US used about 376 million gallons of gasoline per day.

Gas prices at the pump are based on the average monthly price of West Texas Intermediate crude, which is the benchmark for oil prices in North America. Local gas prices can be driven up by spot shortages, refinery production shortages, or blending issues. However, big nationwide swings in gas prices are almost always due to the price of crude oil.

Gasoline use varies among the states, but Texas and California have historically accounted for the largest shares of total US motor gasoline consumption.

The US is the biggest gasoline user globally, consuming almost 35% of the world's gasoline.

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