Gas Prices by State

Cheapest gas by state this week: Indiana leads at about $3.79 a gallon, while California is the most expensive at $6.40 (AAA, Oct. 2, 2026). That’s a gap of about $2.61 a gallon, or roughly $39 on a 15-gallon fill-up, for the same fuel in the same country. Below you’ll find every state, and my explanation of why the map looks the way it does.

Top 10 lists: AAA, Oct. 2, 2026 · All states: EIA weekly averages, Sept. 21, 2026 · By Nathan Brooks

Source: AAA daily state averages, Oct. 2, 2026. AAA surveys stations every day, so its numbers can differ from the EIA’s weekly averages below, especially in states whose price is estimated from their region.

All 50 states and D.C.

Find your state below. States marked State have their own EIA average. The others show their region’s average, which can be a few cents higher or lower than the actual state price. If your state is one of those, treat the number as a good estimate rather than an exact figure.

Prices: EIA weekly retail averages for the week of Sept. 21, 2026. State gas taxes: Tax Foundation, rates as of July 1, 2026 (cents per gallon, excluding the 18.4¢ federal tax).

Why gas costs more in some states

1. State taxes and fees

State gas taxes add anywhere from 9¢ (Alaska) to 73.6¢ (California) to each gallon, and many states also add sales taxes, environmental fees or inspection fees. Taxes are the easiest part of the gap to see, but they’re not the biggest: even the full 64.6¢ difference between the highest and lowest state tax explains only about a quarter of the gap between California and Indiana.

2. Distance from refineries and pipelines

More than half of U.S. refining capacity is on the Gulf Coast. States close to those refineries, like Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, usually pay less, because fuel doesn’t have to travel far. Places far from refineries or cut off from major pipelines, like Hawaii, Alaska and parts of the West, usually pay more. Geography is probably the most underrated reason your state’s price is what it is.

3. Special fuel rules

California requires its own cleaner-burning blend of gasoline, which few refineries make, so it can’t easily borrow fuel from neighbors when supply is short. Some other areas switch to special summer blends. Special blends can cost more to produce and make local supply less flexible.

4. Local competition

Towns with many stations, warehouse clubs and discount chains tend to have lower prices than areas with only one or two stations. That’s also why the price inside your state can vary as much as the price between states.

What the state rankings are actually good for

A state ranking is great for understanding prices, but you can’t move to Indiana to save on gas. Where it really helps is in three situations: if you live near a state line, if you’re planning a road trip, or if you’re comparing the cost of living in a new state. In all three, a gap of 30 or 40 cents a gallon adds up fast.

For everyday driving, focus on what you control: the station you choose, the day you fill up and the discounts you use. Together, a cheaper day (4¢ to 9¢) and a rewards program (3¢ to 10¢) can add up to more than 10 cents a gallon in any state. — Nathan Brooks

Planning a road trip across states?

If you’re driving from an expensive state into a cheaper one, it usually pays to fill up after you cross the border, and the reverse is true going the other way. The gas trip cost calculator shows what your drive will cost with this week’s prices.

Quick answers

Which state has the cheapest gas right now?

Indiana, at about $3.79 a gallon for regular (AAA, Oct. 2, 2026). Georgia ($3.91) and Texas ($3.94) are close behind.

Which state has the most expensive gas?

California, at about $6.40 a gallon (AAA, Oct. 2, 2026), followed by Hawaii ($5.63) and Washington ($5.49).

Why do some states show a regional price?

The EIA publishes separate weekly averages for only nine states (California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington). For the rest, we show the average of the EIA region the state belongs to, which is a good estimate but not an exact state price.

How much of the price is tax?

Every gallon includes the 18.4¢ federal tax plus your state’s tax (shown in the table). The EIA estimates that taxes made up about 12% of the price of a gallon of regular in May 2026.

Keep saving

Sources

AAA state gas price averages · EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update · Tax Foundation: state gas taxes 2026 · EIA: gasoline explained

FuelPriceScout is an independent information site. We don’t sell fuel and we’re not affiliated with any gas station, retailer or rewards program mentioned here. Prices are averages from public sources and are not what a specific station charges; program terms can change, so always check the official site before you sign up. How we get our data.