Remember When Gas Was Under Two Bucks in Maine? A Look Back

One thing we all need if we're going to drive anywhere is gas in the tank. The problem is, the price of gas fluctuates all the time. Long gone are the days of gas prices like they were in 1980, averaging around $1.19 to $1.25 a gallon

As of this writing, in August 2025, gas prices nationwide averaged around $3.15 per gallon, which is the lowest price in August since 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Rising and falling gas prices are something we just have to deal with. I remember dealing with it 20 years ago when prices were at a level we had never seen in my lifetime. I was so into the price of gas fluctuating that I took photos at gas stations, documenting the prices. Yes, I'm a geek. If you are too, I'll invite you to our next Dungeons and Dragons night.

Here are nine photos that I took from July 2014 to July 2024 of gas station signs showing the price of gas over 20 years. This is by no means scientific. I just took pictures for the highs and the lows, and amazingly, was able to find them all recently.

July 2014

Taken in July of 2024 at the 7-Eleven on Washington Avenue in Portland. At the time, this was the highest price of gas I had ever seen in my lifetime.

July 2016

Two years later, in July of 2016, the price had dropped at Cumberland Farms on Washington Avenue to 1.99. Let's be honest, though. That's $2 a gallon because gas is the only thing measured in less than a penny.

January 2020

At the beginning of the 2020s we're on the rise again at Circle K.

March 2020

But by March, we're down below $2 at Scrub a Dub on Forest Avenue.. It doesn't stop there, though.

March 2021

In March of 2021, gas was down to $1.73. But a year later...

October 2022

Wow! Big Apple on Route 302 in Windham was selling regular at $4.69!

September 2023

Duck Pond Variety in Westbrook is a small convenience store on Route 302. On this day in September, gas was at $3.99.

May 2024

13 months later, it had dropped by 30 cents a gallon at the Mobil Station.

July 2024

In July of 2024, Duck Pond Variety was down to $3.49.

As of this writing, the current average price of gas in Maine is $3.13. How long do you think it will remain there?