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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Business
J.R. Duren

Here’s how much filling the gas tank of America’s most popular vehicles has increased in a year

This is how much a tank of gas has increased in price, year-on-year, for America’s most-driven vehicles.

There are more Ford F-150s on America’s roads than any other vehicle, according to the latest data on “vehicles in operation” from credit bureau Experian.

But driving the country’s most popular car comes at a cost particularly as President Donald Trump’s Iran war has been a large part of causing prices to soar. Pain at the pump for consumers is also being aggravated by a typical summer trend, which sees a more expensive mix of gasoline from refineries to deal with higher temperatures.

Filling up a Ford F-150’s 36-gallon tank costs $160.56, based on AAA’s U.S. average price of $4.46 for a gallon of gas, Monday May 4. This time last year, the cost was $114.12 - some $46.44 cheaper.

Even for drivers who have bought a less gas-guzzling vehicle - such as the country’s most popular sedan, the Toyota Camry - costs are still elevated.

Filling up the car’s 13-gallon tank costs $57.98, based on AAA’s national average price May 4. This time last year, the cost was $41.21 - some $16.77 less.

The longer the Iran war goes on, the more likely it is that Americans will see gas prices remain high.

The average Ford F-150 driver uses around 374 gallons of gas a year and a Camry driver uses around 293 gallons, based on the most recent data from the Federal Highway Administration.

At Monday’s average fuel price, F-150 drivers pay $482 more and Camry drivers pay $378 more in 2026 than a year ago.

The Trump administration has tried to soothe Americans’ pain at the pump by saying prices will dip as soon as the war is over but as of now, it is unclear when that will be.

The Iran war has been the most influential factor in gas prices over the past two months (AFP via Getty Images)

“We are cognizant that this short-term blip up in prices is affecting the American people but I am also confident on the other side of this prices are going to come down very quickly,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News Monday.

When gas prices were above $4 a gallon in mid-April, Trump brushed off the sharp increase in gas prices by telling reporters gas prices were “not very high.” This past Thursday, Trump said that once the war is over, gas prices will “drop like a rock.”

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