If you call it gasoline, then it isn't too expensive, compared with countries that call it petrol(eum.)
Here in NZ it starts at NZ$1.16 a litre, which is in the ballpark of US$10.40 a gallon, according to a swift calculation.
If someone has a ready-reckoner with US gallons (mine is imperial, and I seem to remember they are bigger) and the exchange rate, it would be interesting.

And to answer the question, it is a monopoly commodity, and we use it by the graciousness of two cartels.