US Petrol Prices Surpass India's Despite Being World's Largest Oil Producer
The United States remains the world's largest crude oil producer, but surprisingly, petrol prices in India are currently lower than those in the US. According to data from GlobalPetrolPrices, as of September 21, 2026, the price of gasoline in the US was $1.27 per litre, while in India it was $1.137 per litre, a difference of about 12%. The same data shows that diesel prices in the US were $1.725 per litre, compared to $1.027 in India.
The gap is notable because the US produces more crude oil than any other country, with a record 13.6 million barrels of crude oil and lease condensate produced per day in 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, being the world's largest oil producer does not automatically translate into cheaper petrol at the pump.
The increase in US petrol prices can be attributed to the rise in crude oil prices. The American Automobile Association (AAA) linked the increase to crude oil prices averaging around $100 a barrel amid continued volatility around the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, the US national average for regular gasoline had risen to $4.43 a gallon on September 17, up 16 cents from the previous week.