Dallas drivers now pay about $17.56 less for a 15-gallon gasoline purchase than at the June 2022 peak during former President Joe Biden’s administration, as President Donald Trump moves to expand American refining capacity.
Regular gasoline averaged $3.6662 per gallon in Dallas on October 24, compared with the record $4.837 on June 16, 2022, AAA’s price tracker shows. That puts the current average about 24% below the Biden-era high.
At those averages, a 15-gallon purchase costs approximately $54.99 now, compared with $72.56 at the 2022 peak. Four such purchases cost about $70.25 less than they would have at that high.
The national regular gasoline average reached its record $5.0165 per gallon on June 14, 2022, also during Biden’s presidency. It stood at $4.2957 on October 24, AAA shows.
Dallas prices remain above October 2025 levels, an increase The Dallas Express examined in earlier coverage.
Trump’s refinery push
Trump announced plans Thursday to provide up to $150 million in taxpayer funding through the Defense Production Act to expand petroleum production, storage and refinery logistics. The projects would increase U.S. refining output by millions of gallons per day, the Energy Department announced.
“By restoring energy addition policies, we will continue to unleash American energy dominance and lower costs for the American people,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in the department’s announcement.
The money would come from $1 billion Congress appropriated for energy projects considered critical to national security. Trump’s October 22 determination identifies domestic petroleum production, refining and logistics as essential to national defense.
DOE says project selection continues. Its announcement does not identify recipients, specify when additional fuel would reach consumers or estimate a pump-price reduction.
Contrasting energy policies
Biden revoked the Keystone XL pipeline’s cross-border permit on January 20, 2021. A week later, he ordered a pause on new oil and natural gas leases on federal public lands and offshore waters pending a review of the federal leasing program.
The leasing pause did not stop existing operations or permits for valid existing leases, the Interior Department said at the time.
Trump’s January 20, 2025, energy order revoked both Biden orders, directed agencies to review regulations burdening domestic energy development and established a policy of encouraging exploration and production on federal lands and waters.
Crude oil accounts for the largest share of the retail gasoline price, while refining, taxes and distribution also affect what drivers pay, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Provided by Dallas Express
