October Fuel Report: US Jet A and 100LL Prices Climb Higher as Autumn Begins
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For pilots, FBO operators, and aviation business owners alike, fuel pricing trends are more than just numbers on a report—they're a direct window into operating costs and regional market dynamics. Comparing the ACUKWIK U.S. Regional Fuel Pricing Reports from September and October 2026 reveals a clear story: prices are climbing across the board, and the increases are not evenly distributed from coast to coast.
As of October 1, the national average price for self-service Jet A was $6.40 per gallon, up from $6.07 in September. Full-service Jet A averaged $7.86, compared with $7.50 in the previous month. That represents monthly increases of approximately 5.4 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.
100LL fuels followed suit. The national average for self-service 100LL jumped to $6.66 from $6.50, while full-service 100LL rose to $7.81 from $7.52.
The Big Picture: Prices Are Climbing Nationwide
The October 2026 report expanded its coverage to 250 FBO locations, up from 241 in September, giving us an even clearer picture of the national fuel landscape. And the picture is consistent: every single national average price category increased month over month.
The standout trend here is that full-service pricing rose faster than self-serve pricing for both fuel types, suggesting that the cost of labor, convenience, or service-tier premiums may be rising faster than base fuel costs themselves.
Regional Breakdown
Fuel pricing doesn't move uniformly across the country, and this month's data makes that abundantly clear.
Southern Region: The Biggest Mover
The Southern region—spanning Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and surrounding states—saw some of the steepest increases of any region. Full-service 100LL prices jumped from an average of $5.93 to $7.94, and full-service Jet A climbed from $6.56 to $7.92. Florida and Georgia FBOs in particular showed broad-based increases.
Eastern Region: Steady Upward Climb
The Eastern region, covering New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and neighboring states, saw full-service Jet A rise from $7.89 to $8.43 and full-service 100LL jump from $8.16 to $8.62.
Western Pacific: Highest Prices in the Nation
While not the fastest-growing region percentage-wise, Western Pacific continues to post the highest absolute full-service fuel prices nationally. Some locations report full-service Jet A pushing past $10.00 per gallon.
Great Lakes and New England: Moderate, Consistent Gains
Both regions saw modest but steady increases. Great Lakes full-service Jet A rose from $7.32 to $7.68, while New England FBOs had full-service Jet A leap from $7.41 to $8.21.
Central and Southwest: Mixed Signals
The Central region showed an interesting divergence—self-serve Jet A pricing softened slightly while full-service pricing rose notably, from $6.11 to $6.55. The Southwest region posted more modest, steady increases across the board, with full-service Jet A rising from $7.19 to $7.61.
Northwest Mountain and Alaskan: Smaller but Present Increases
Northwest Mountain FBOs posted increases for both Jet A and 100LL full-service pricing. The Alaskan region, with only two stations reporting, held relatively flat, with Jet A-Full staying near $12.12 in both months.
Key Takeaways for Pilots and Operators
Budget for higher full-service costs, especially if you frequently fly into the Southern or Eastern regions.
Western Pacific remains the priciest region nationally for both Jet A and 100LL—plan fuel stops accordingly if flying cross-country.
Self-serve options continue to offer meaningful savings, with the gap between self and full-service pricing widening month over month.
Keep an eye on regional trends, not just national averages, since local market dynamics can vary significantly from the national trend line.
FBO and ground handler managers can learn how to update their fuel prices, fees and listing information through the ACUKWIK Fuel and Fees Dashboard at acukwik.com/Fuel-and-Fees-Dashboard-User-Guide.
