The Fox News poll finds 61% of registered voters view gas prices as a major problem as the national average for regular gasoline rose to $4.4386. The survey, conducted Sept. 11-14 among 1,211 voters (±3 points), shows widespread concern about affordability, with 63% saying the economy has worsened under President Trump. Experts warn persistent high fuel costs could make affordability the defining issue ahead of the midterms.
Gas Tops $4.40 as 61% of Voters Say Pump Prices Are a Major Problem, Poll Finds
Gas prices are displayed at a Pilot gas station on September 17, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
A new Fox News poll finds that 61% of registered voters view prices at the pump as a major problem as the national average for regular gasoline climbed above $4.40 per gallon.
Rising Prices, Growing Concern
AAA reported a national average of $4.4386 for regular gasoline on Thursday, up from $4.3672 on Wednesday, $4.2770 last week and $4.0636 last month. Diesel has surged as well, with a national average of $6.31 on Wednesday. Some California stations are reporting regular gas prices near or above $10 per gallon, creating display and affordability challenges for retailers and drivers.
What Voters Say
The Fox News Poll, conducted Sept. 11-14, 2026, by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research among 1,211 registered voters (±3 percentage points), shows broad economic unease tied to rising fuel costs. Key findings include:
- 61% of registered voters call gas prices a major problem (up from 48% two years earlier).
- 63% say the Trump administration has made the economy worse; breakdowns include 73% of independents, 95% of Democrats and 26% of Republicans who share that view.
- President Trump's overall approval rating in the poll is 39% (61% disapprove); his approval on handling inflation is 24% with 74% disapproving.
- Voters also flagged other affordability pressures: 62% cited grocery prices as a major problem, 54% housing costs and 52% healthcare.
It's a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done, remember that. It's a little more—frankly, even if it was a lot more, but that's going to come tumbling down.
Those remarks were made by President Donald Trump in North Carolina while discussing the international conflict and its impact on gasoline.
Political Consequences
The poll suggests fuel costs are shaping voter sentiment as the midterm elections approach: 55% of respondents said Democrats would do a better job handling inflation and prices versus 40% who picked Republicans. When asked about the most important issue facing the country, 34% named cost of living and inflation, while 14% cited the economy and jobs.
Gas above $4.40 with 61% of voters calling it a major problem is a real warning for Republicans, not background noise. Midterms turn on what people feel every week at the pump and the grocery store, and those numbers have gotten worse, not better.
Craig Agranoff, a political science professor at Florida Atlantic University, told Newsweek the White House must provide visible relief at the pump and a clear explanation of what is driving crude oil prices higher, saying messaging alone won't fix the problem.
Methodology and Context
The Fox News Poll was conducted Sept. 11-14, 2026, among 1,211 registered voters nationwide and carries a margin of error of ±3 percentage points. For historical perspective, AAA's highest recorded national average for regular gasoline was $5.0165 on June 14, 2022, when President Joe Biden was in office.
Why this matters: Sustained high fuel prices can influence everyday household budgets and have measurable political effects, particularly in a close midterm environment where affordability is a top voter concern.
Photo caption: Gas prices displayed at a Pilot station on Sept. 17, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey, reflecting rising retail fuel costs in many regions.
Newsweek reporters and editors used Martyn, an AI assistant, to help produce this story. Contact Newsweek editors for further details.
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