dpJuly 7, 2026, 6:58 p.m. ET
The White House launched 25 Freedom Fuel gas stations, all selling fuel at $3.47 a gallon.
The White House announced the initiative on July 7 on X with a video of customers thanking President Donald Trump for lowering gas prices. The gas stations are located in the greater Philadelphia area, the White House told USA TODAY in an email on Tuesday, July 7.
In the video, one customer claimed the gas station saved him money. “I thought gas was more expensive, but it’s not,” the man, who was not identified, said. “Thanks, Trump, for saving me some money.”
The move comes as Americans continue to worry about gas prices at the pump ahead of the November midterm elections. But the price of Freedom gas is only slightly lower than the national average.
According to AAA data, the national average price of fuel was $3.79 on Tuesday, July 7.
USA TODAY contacted the White House for additional information.
Why are gas prices so high?
Earlier this year, gas prices began rising in all 50 states, bringing the national average to nearly $5 in May. Significant spikes were observed in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois, according to GasBuddy, a fuel industry analyst.
Gas prices are determined by the cost of crude oil, which rose due to the U.S.-Iran war and is traded in global markets. At its peak, Brent crude spiked more than 55% and nearly hit $120 a barrel.
The sharp rise stemmed from shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
In 2025, almost 34% of global crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Energy Agency. After the United States and Iran reached a tentative agreement to end the war in June, effectively reopening the Strait of Hormuz, gasoline prices began to fall.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the cost at the pump is largely driven by these four components: crude oil, refining costs, distribution and marketing, and federal and state taxes.
On July 7, Hawaii, California, and Washington all had average gas prices above $5 a gallon. Meanwhile, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Texas had some of the cheapest numbers, according to AAA data.
The locations of the Freedom Fuel gas stations are available on the company’s website.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].
