President Donald Trump downplayed concerns about high gas prices as the midterm elections approach, even as Americans are paying an average of more than $4 per gallon at the pump.
Voters have consistently said in polls that U.S. gas prices are top of mind as they cast their ballots. Trump has promised in multiple campaign rallies that the prices will drop soon, even as AAA's average national gas price has been above $4 per gallon since April.
"By the way, when that [Iran] war ends, you're gonna see gasoline coming down," Trump said at a Nov. 1 campaign rally in Iowa, where polls show Republican Senate nominee Ashley Hinson in a much closer race against Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek than political observers were initially expecting.
"It was
$1.85 in Iowa," Trump added, although the U.S. Energy Information Agency says the average price of gas in the Mmidwest U.S. was $2.76 on the week of Feb. 23, which was the last week before Trump launched the Iran war.
The average price of gas in the United States on Monday, Nov. 2, was $4.16, according to AAA. That's up from an average of $3.06 on Nov. 2, 2025, the group said.
With that in mind, The USA TODAY Cars Team looked at what polling shows about gast prices voters think about gas price increases and where things stand at the pump in the biggest battleground states heading into Election Day tomorrow.
How have gas prices affected Trump's approval ratings as voters head to the polls?
Seventy-six percent of registered U.S. voters disapprove of Trump's handling of gas prices, while only 20% approve, according to an Oct. 8 poll fromNavigator Research.
The poll also showed that 73% of registered voters heading into the November election disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation and the cost of living, while only 23% approve. In the poll, 62% of registered voters said they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president, while only 36% approve.
"President Trump’s approval ratings have hit all-time lows in Navigator tracking," the group said. "Majorities disapprove of Trump’s handling of gas prices, inflation and the cost of living, and foreign policy."
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a Nov. 2 blog post that gas prices have decreased slightly ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3, but they remain largely contingent on developments in the U.S.-Iran war.
“Average gasoline prices fell in nearly every state over the last week, while diesel declined in most, as refinery maintenance wraps up and seasonal demand continues to fade with the onset of cooler weather,” De Haan wrote. “That combination has given gasoline and diesel prices some much-needed breathing room, and motorists are finally seeing relief at the pump.
De Haan added that the relief for motorists might be temporary if tensions with Iran continue to escalate. "Whether new attacks occur or a truce takes hold around the Strait of Hormuz, along with continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, will likely dictate where prices head as we move closer to the holidays," he wrote.
What are drivers paying at the pump in the biggest battleground states?
New polling from the New York Times released on Nov. 1 showed Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate leading in seven battleground states that are likely to determine control of the chamber next year.
Here's how much drivers in those states are paying for gas heading into Election Day:
Michigan
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $4.52
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $2.97
Texas
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $3.64
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $2.55
Maine
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $4.25
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $3.02
Ohio
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $4.12
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $2.92
Kansas
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $3.88
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $2.70
Alaska
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $4.75
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $3.82
Iowa
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2026: $4.00
Average gas price on Nov. 2, 2025: $2.74
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's where gas prices sit as voters head to polls in 7 key states
