Gas Prices in New York
Gas prices in New York are running almost exactly at the national average this fall, which is unusual for a high-tax state. In the week of Oct. 12, 2026, regular averaged $4.35 a gallon in the EIA’s survey, just 2 cents above the U.S. average and down about 3 cents from the week before. The bad news is the comparison with last year: New Yorkers are paying about $1.30 a gallon more. Here’s what drives prices in the state, how New York compares with its neighbors, and how to pay less.
Prices: EIA weekly data, updated automatically · By Nathan Brooks · Reviewed Oct. 15, 2026
Regular: EIA state average; diesel: EIA Central Atlantic regional average for the week of Sept. 21, 2026.
What drives gas prices in New York
- Several layers of tax. New York charges an excise tax, a petroleum business tax and sales tax, and local sales tax rates differ by county. That’s why the same gallon can cost more in one county than in the next, and why the posted price can jump when you cross a county line.
- City vs. upstate. Land and operating costs make many stations in New York City, Westchester and Long Island more expensive to run than most upstate stations. Averages can hide this: in the week of Oct. 12, the EIA’s New York City average ($4.31) was actually slightly below the statewide figure, so don’t assume the city is always the priciest place to fill up.
- Fuel arrives by pipeline and barge from Gulf Coast and East Coast refineries and through the New York Harbor terminals, one of the country’s main fuel hubs. Being close to that hub helps keep supply steady.
New York vs. neighboring states
| State | Regular (this week) | State gas tax | Tax vs. New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $4.42 | 24.2¢ | — |
| New Jersey | $4.44 | 49.2¢ | +25.0¢ |
| Pennsylvania | $4.44 | 58.7¢ | +34.5¢ |
| Connecticut | $4.38 | 25.0¢ | +0.8¢ |
| Vermont | $4.38 | 34.9¢ | +10.7¢ |
| Massachusetts | $4.35 | 27.6¢ | +3.4¢ |
Prices: EIA weekly averages. States without their own EIA average show their region’s average (New Jersey and Pennsylvania use the Central Atlantic average; Connecticut and Vermont use the New England average), so real border differences can be bigger or smaller. Taxes: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026 (state taxes and fees, excluding the 18.4¢ federal tax). New York’s figure doesn’t include the sales tax charged at the pump.
Local differences matter more than the trend
New York’s price is moving with the rest of the country: slowly down, a few cents a week. I don’t see a reason to rush to the pump, and I don’t see a reason to expect a big drop either. The local differences matter more here than the weekly trend. Between county sales taxes and uneven competition, two stations a few miles apart can be 20 cents or more apart.
So my advice is local: know which towns near you are cheaper, use a grocery program if you have one, and if you’re a Price Chopper or Market 32 shopper, don’t count on fuel rewards there anymore. If you heat with propane, the bigger number to watch this winter is your heating bill, not the pump. — Nathan Brooks
What to watch next
Heating season. For upstate households that heat with propane or oil, the next few months matter more than the pump. HEAP is New York’s heating help program; check the OTDA site for when applications open.
Best ways to save on gas in New York
- Tops GasPoints (Western and Central New York): grocery purchases earn points that take cents off per gallon at Tops gas stations. Tops often runs double-points promotions, which is when I’d do a big grocery run.
- BJ’s and Costco on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley and upstate. Club pumps are usually among the cheapest nearby. BJ’s gas guide.
- Heads-up for Price Chopper/Market 32 shoppers: local news reported in July 2026 that the chain ended its gas rewards. Check the app before you count on fuel savings there.
- Look beyond your own town. Prices can differ by 20¢ or more between neighboring towns and counties because of local sales tax and competition. On a 15-gallon fill-up, that’s $3. Find stations near you.
- Free rewards apps from Shell, ExxonMobil and bp work at many New York stations. They cost nothing, so there’s little reason not to use the one that matches your usual station. Compare programs.
Programs and terms are set by each company and can change. Check the official site or app before you sign up.
Propane in New York
For many upstate households, propane matters more than gasoline in winter. New York opened the EIA’s heating season survey at $3.67 a gallon (Oct. 5, 2026), about $1.07 above the U.S. average and 31 cents more than a year earlier. Last winter, prices rose almost 40 cents between October and late March. That’s the pattern that makes me think filling up early, or locking in a fair pre-buy price, makes sense here. Compare New York with other states on our propane prices by state table.
- Grill and RV tanks: where to refill propane and exchange vs. refill.
- Home tanks: tank sizes and how long a tank lasts, and a fill-up cost calculator.
- Help with heating bills: New York HEAP (OTDA) can help eligible households pay for heating fuel, including propane.
Quick answers
Why is gas more expensive in New York City?
Stations in the city pay much more for land and operations, and there are fewer of them per driver, so prices are usually higher than upstate.
What taxes are included in New York gas prices?
New York’s price includes the federal tax, a state excise tax, a petroleum business tax and state plus local sales tax, which varies by county.
Is propane expensive in New York?
New York is one of the pricier states for home propane. In the EIA’s first weekly survey of the 2026-27 heating season (Oct. 5, 2026), New York averaged $3.67 a gallon, compared with $2.60 for the U.S.
Keep saving
Sources
EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update · Tax Foundation: state gas tax rates (July 1, 2026) · EIA weekly residential propane prices · WWNY: Price Chopper ends gas rewards (July 31, 2026) · Tops GasPoints · New York HEAP (OTDA)
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.