September Fuel Report: US Jet A Prices Edge Higher as 100LL Eases

Regional price differences remain substantial in the US, highlighting the value of fuel planning as operators head into the fall travel season.

The latest ACUKWIK U.S. Regional Fuel Pricing Report shows a mixed picture entering September, with Jet A prices moving higher while 100LL prices edged lower. At the same time, the number of locations represented in the report increased sharply, providing a broader view of retail aviation fuel pricing across the United States.

As of September 1, the national average price for self-service Jet A was $6.07 per gallon, up from $5.81 in August. Full-service Jet A averaged $7.50, compared with $7.39 a month earlier. That represents monthly increases of approximately 4.5 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.

100LL moved in the opposite direction. The national average for self-service 100LL declined to $6.50 from $6.58, while full-service 100LL fell to $7.52 from $7.65. The decreases were modest — approximately 1.2 percent for self-service and 1.7 percent for full-service — but mark some relief following higher summer pricing.

Jet A Remains Well Above Early-2026 Levels

Looking at the broader 2026 trend provides additional perspective. In January, the national average stood at $4.77 for self-service Jet A and $5.74 for full service. By September, those prices had increased approximately 27 percent and 31 percent, respectively.

Much of that change occurred during the spring. Self-service Jet A jumped from $4.83 in March to $5.78 in April, while full-service pricing rose from $5.91 to $7.43. Since then, Jet A pricing has remained in a comparatively narrower range. Full-service Jet A, for example, has moved between $6.95 and $7.61 since April.

100LL has followed a more gradual upward path. Self-service 100LL started the year at $5.24 and reached $6.58 in August before easing to $6.50 in September. Full-service 100LL began at $6.38, peaked at $7.66 in June and finished the September report at $7.52.

Regional Differences Continue to Matter

National averages tell only part of the story. September's regional numbers show significant differences depending on where an aircraft is operating.

The Central region continues to offer some of the country's lowest average pricing, with self-service Jet A at $5.22 and full-service Jet A at $6.37. Central also posted the lowest full-service 100LL regional average at $6.76.

The Southwest was another relatively favorable market, averaging $5.57 for self-service Jet A, $7.19 for full-service Jet A, $6.05 for self-service 100LL and $7.28 for full service.

At the other end of the continental U.S. range, the Western Pacific region averaged $7.02 for self-service Jet A and $8.28 for full service. Its 100LL averages were also among the highest at $6.99 self-service and $7.99 full-service.

The Eastern region's full-service prices were similarly elevated, averaging $7.89 for Jet A and $8.16 for 100LL — the highest continental regional average for full-service 100LL.

Alaska remains an outlier, although its averages are based on only two reporting locations. Full-service Jet A averaged $10.83 and full-service 100LL averaged $12.12.

For perspective, the difference between the lowest and highest continental regional averages was $1.91 per gallon for full-service Jet A, ranging from $6.37 in the Central region to $8.28 in the Western Pacific. The spread for full-service 100LL was $1.40, from $6.76 in the Central region to $8.16 in the East.

Broader Reporting Expands the September Snapshot

One other number stands out in September: 241 locations reported pricing, compared with 187 in August and just 140 in January. That represents a 29 percent increase from August alone and a 72 percent increase since the start of the year. The expanded reporting provides a broader picture of the market, although it should also be considered when comparing monthly averages. Changes in the mix and number of reporting locations can influence national and regional averages in addition to changes in the underlying price of fuel.

For operators, however, the overall message remains clear: where an aircraft fuels can matter nearly as much as the direction of the national average. With regional differences approaching $2 per gallon for Jet A — and even larger variations at individual airports — comparing fuel options remains an important part of controlling trip costs.

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.