Story perspectives

Fourth of July Cookout Costs Rise to $94 Average

7/4/2026

Summary

Farm Bureau Cookout

The Farm Bureau Federation reports a 10-person Fourth of July cookout costs $73.82, up 4% from 2025, while 87% of Americans plan to celebrate the birthday on July 4.
Food spending is projected at $9.4 billion, with average per-person cost $94.41, $20 above 2019.
Prices varied, with ground beef rising to $14.06 (5.5%) and potato salad falling to $2.91, while California’s cookout price topped nation at $91.80 and the West averaged $80.00.

Summary

Bessent Warns

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned oil and gas firms that regulators are watching pricing after July 4 fuel costs stayed high.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged retailers to cut holiday food prices to $2.50 as a patriotic duty.
AAA expects 61.4 million Americans to drive and 72.2 million to travel at least 50 miles between June 27 and July 5.
Gasoline averaged $3.85 per gallon nationally, prompting families to skip restaurant stops or cut overnight stays.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 Arab oil embargo, triggered by the Yom Kippur War, forced the Nixon administration to impose rationing and saw gasoline prices jump 43%—from 38.5 ¢ to 55.1 ¢ per gallon by June 1974. The crisis spurred the creation of the Federal Energy Office and lasting price-control debates. Today officials cite that episode while warning rising fuel costs could again pressure holiday spending.

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Farm Bureau Cookout

The Farm Bureau Federation reports a 10-person Fourth of July cookout costs $73.82, up 4% from 2025, while 87% of Americans plan to celebrate the birthday on July 4.
Food spending is projected at $9.4 billion, with average per-person cost $94.41, $20 above 2019.
Prices varied, with ground beef rising to $14.06 (5.5%) and potato salad falling to $2.91, while California’s cookout price topped nation at $91.80 and the West averaged $80.00.

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