Today, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released the change in the costs faced by consumers for transportation goods and services, from August 2025 to August 2026, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The annual change in CPI is a measure of inflation.

The CPI for all transportation goods and services rose 6.2% from August 2025 to August 2026. Transportation contributed 30.2% to the 3.4% increase in the price of all goods and services, per the CPI. Gasoline (all types) contributed the most to inflation, rising 27.4% year-over-year and contributing 25.6% to the annual change in the price of all goods and services.

By item, the top three contributors to inflation in August 2026 were:

• Gasoline (all types): +25.6%
• Airline Fare: +6.0%
• Motor vehicle maintenance and repair: +1.6%

The top three items dampening transportation’s contribution to inflation in August 2026 were:

• Motor vehicle insurance: -4.2%
• Used cars and trucks: -1.6%
• Other intercity (intercity bus, train, and ship fares: -0.3%

For additional information and for interactive charts on transportation's role in the economy and changes (trends) over time, please visit BTS’ Transportation Economic Trends.