If you're searching for the cheapest gas prices right now, the short answer is: look at Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. These five states have anchored the bottom of every AAA weekly ranking for years, typically running 40-70 cents below the national average. The most expensive states — California, Hawaii, Washington — sit more than a dollar above. Our gas prices page has today's national average and per-state breakdowns, but here's what the rankings actually show and why.
As of the latest AAA update, the national average sits at $4.058 per gallon, down for a seventh straight day. Against that baseline, state-level variation looks like this.
The 10 Cheapest States Right Now
Listed from cheapest to least cheap within the low-price tier, based on recent AAA data:
1. Oklahoma — $3.41. The cheapest state almost every week. Low state taxes (about 20 cents per gallon), proximity to both the Permian Basin and Gulf Coast refining, and no specialty fuel requirements.
2. Mississippi — $3.48. Gulf Coast location, low taxes (18.4 cents), simple regulatory environment. Some weeks trades back and forth with Oklahoma for the national bottom spot.
3. Texas — $3.52. The largest refining complex in the country combined with low state taxes (20 cents). Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin all run close to the state average.
4. Louisiana — $3.54. The other Gulf Coast refining heavyweight. Moderate state taxes (20 cents), abundant local refining.
5. Alabama — $3.57. Benefits from Gulf Coast pipeline access without the gas tax surcharges of some neighbors.
6. Kansas — $3.61. Landlocked but close enough to Gulf Coast and Midwest refining. Low tax base (24 cents).
7. Arkansas — $3.63. Benefits from Gulf Coast proximity and below-average state taxes.
8. Missouri — $3.65. Longstanding low-tax environment (17 cents — the lowest state tax rate in the country). Central location with good refining access.
9. Tennessee — $3.67. No state income tax and moderate fuel tax (27 cents). Gulf Coast pipeline access.
10. South Carolina — $3.70. Below-average taxes (28 cents) and East Coast pipeline access. Typically rounds out the low-price top 10.
Why These States Have the Lowest Gas
Three structural factors explain every state on this list: low state fuel taxes, physical proximity to refineries, and no specialty fuel-blend mandates. The top four are all Gulf Coast or near-Gulf states. Missouri and Tennessee make the cut despite being landlocked because of exceptionally low tax rates. Kansas and Arkansas are classic pipeline-access beneficiaries. South Carolina gets there on taxes alone.
We've written a full explainer on why gas prices differ state-by-state, and the deeper supply-chain walkthrough lives in How Are Gas Prices Set.
The 10 Most Expensive States Right Now
From most expensive:
1. California — $5.83. Highest gas taxes (~60 cents), unique CARB reformulated fuel requirements, cap-and-trade costs, and geographic isolation from Gulf Coast refining. Structurally the most expensive state. See our coverage of why California persistently runs above $5.
2. Hawaii — $4.79. Every gallon arrives by tanker. No local refining, no pipeline, limited retail competition outside Honolulu.
3. Washington — $4.68. High state taxes plus a cap-and-trade program that adds roughly 30 cents per gallon. Limited refining capacity.
4. Nevada — $4.45. No in-state refining. Gas arrives via pipeline from California and Texas.
5. Oregon — $4.38. Cap-and-trade program plus elevated state taxes.
6. Pennsylvania — $4.15. Highest East Coast state tax (~58 cents). Aging refinery footprint.
7. Illinois — $4.12. State tax plus Cook County sales tax plus Chicago city tax stacks up on the same gallon.
8. Alaska — $4.08. Despite producing oil, the state imports most of its refined gasoline because North Slope crude isn't easily processed into gasoline locally.
9. Idaho — $3.98. Inland geography and higher-than-average taxes.
10. Michigan — $3.94. Higher state taxes and reliance on Midwest refining.
How to Find the Cheapest Gas Near You
Three practical rules. First, avoid interstate highway exit stations except in emergencies — they consistently charge 20-40 cents more than in-town stations a mile away. Second, membership warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's) and some big-box grocery chains with fuel programs (Kroger Fuel Points, Safeway, Giant Eagle) offer the lowest prices in most markets, often 15-30 cents below the area average. Third, apps like GasBuddy let you compare real-time prices within a 10-mile radius, though the listings depend on community reporting and can lag by a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest gas price in the country right now?
Oklahoma currently holds the lowest state-average price, around $3.41 per gallon. Individual stations can run cheaper. The cheapest individual station in the country at any given moment is usually a Costco or Sam's Club in a low-tax state.
Why are gas prices in some states so much cheaper than others?
Primarily three reasons: state fuel taxes differ by up to 45 cents per gallon, proximity to refining capacity adds or subtracts 10-30 cents of distribution cost, and specialty fuel-blend requirements in states like California add another 30-50 cents. We've written a full explainer on interstate price differences.
Do gas prices change by day of the week?
Yes, but subtly. Midweek (Tuesday and Wednesday) is typically 1-3 cents cheaper than weekends in most markets, as stations often reprice for the weekend driving rush. The effect is small compared to state-to-state or station-to-station variation.
Will the cheapest states stay cheap?
Likely yes for the foreseeable future. The factors driving low prices — location, taxes, regulatory simplicity — are structural rather than cyclical. California-level premiums could narrow only if the state reduced its tax or fuel-blend requirements, neither of which appears politically likely.