The price separation of gas Vs the price of a barrel of oil is the highest it has ever been. Seems like some Midterm fuckery.
Grok is this true?
Yes — the gap is at or very near its widest on modern records, especially the refining margin between crude and finished gasoline/diesel.
eco3min.fr
A barrel of crude is 42 gallons, but gasoline prices do not move 1:1 with oil. The relevant “separation” is the combination of:
• Refining margins (the crack spread)
• Taxes, distribution, and retail markups
• Seasonal and regulatory costs (e.g., summer-blend gasoline)
Current numbers (late September 2026)
• U.S. national average regular gasoline: about $4.48–$4.49/gallon (EIA week of Sep 21; AAA ~Sep 25).
thetrading.tools
• WTI crude: roughly $92–$96/barrel (around $92.44 on Sep 25).
gurufocus.com
That implies a crude cost of ~$2.20 per gallon of product. The remaining ~$2.29 per gallon is refining, taxes, transport, and retail. Crude now accounts for only about half the pump price, down from ~70% in 1980.
fuelfigures.com