U.S. Gas Prices Today

Daily gas prices for all 50 states plus D.C., sourced from AAA. National averages for regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel. Understand why prices move — crude oil, refining costs, taxes, seasonal blends, geopolitics, and regional market dynamics.

The AAA national average for regular gasoline is $4.552 — the highest Memorial Day weekend level in four years. A record 45 million Americans are expected to travel Memorial Day weekend, 87% driving. GasBuddy’s summer model points to a $4.80 nationwide average; if Hormuz closure drags into summer, the all-time record $5.02 (June 2022) is back in range. Brown University’s Climate Solutions Lab puts the cumulative gasoline burden on U.S. households since the Iran war began at ~$24 billion, or close to $200 per household. California averages $6.143, Washington $5.77, Hawaii $5.64; Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana are the cheapest at around $4.00. Diesel averages around $6.22.

Regional pressures remain stark. AAA data shows California, Washington, and Hawaii each above $5.65/gallon; Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas around $4.00. Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, and New Hampshire have all posted some of the steepest year-over-year increases nationally. State-to-state variation is structural — driven by crude cost, regional refining capacity, and state-specific taxes and fuel specs. The macro pass-through is now visible at the consumer level: U.S. inflation has accelerated as surging energy prices linked to the Middle East crisis hit the consumer index.

The near-term outlook remains bullish. The EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report (May 13, week ending May 8) showed U.S. gasoline inventories fell 4.1M barrels to 215.7M, with stocks now 5% below the five-year average. Distillate inventories posted their first weekly build since March (+0.19M). Refinery utilization rose to 91.7% as spring maintenance winds down. Summer-grade gasoline requirements are fully phased in. UAE departed OPEC effective May 1 — less spare capacity to respond to future shocks. See also live oil prices · geopolitics.

What you pay at the pump is the wholesale futures price plus taxes, distribution costs, and retailer margin. The spread below shows how many cents per gallon are added to the underlying benchmark before fuel reaches your tank.

Sources: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report (retail), NYMEX front-month futures (RBOB, ULSD) Methodology: spread = retail − wholesale. Federal taxes: gasoline $0.184/gal, diesel $0.244/gal. State taxes range $0.09 (AK) to $0.68 (CA) for gasoline. Remainder covers refining-to-pump logistics and retailer margin.

Quick Comparisons Daily

State	Regular	Mid-Grade	Premium	Diesel

What Makes Up the Price at the Pump

The average gallon of gasoline is composed of four cost components: crude oil (approximately 55-60% of the price), refining costs and margins (15-20%), federal and state taxes (15-20%), and distribution and marketing (5-10%). When crude oil rises $10/barrel, gas prices typically increase $0.24-0.30/gallon within 1-2 weeks.

Crude oil is the dominant factor because gasoline is a refined petroleum product. Brent and WTI crude benchmarks set the input cost for refineries. Refinery utilization, seasonal maintenance (turnarounds), and unexpected outages affect the supply of finished gasoline. The transition from winter to summer-blend gasoline (required by EPA) typically adds $0.10-0.25/gallon each spring.

Why Gas Prices Vary by State

State gas taxes range from $0.09/gallon (Alaska) to $0.68/gallon (California), creating significant baseline price differences. Beyond taxes, proximity to refineries matters — Gulf Coast states (Texas, Louisiana) benefit from direct access to the nation’s largest refining complex, keeping prices low. West Coast states face higher costs from stricter fuel-blend requirements, limited pipeline access, and geographic isolation from refining centers.

Local market competition, transportation costs, and state-specific regulations also play roles. Hawaii’s extreme prices ($5.65+) reflect the cost of shipping fuel across the Pacific. California’s cap-and-trade program and Low Carbon Fuel Standard add approximately $0.20-0.30/gallon above federal requirements.

Why Diesel Prices Differ from Gasoline

Diesel typically costs more than regular gasoline for three reasons: higher federal tax ($0.244/gal vs. $0.184/gal for gasoline), greater demand from commercial trucking/shipping/agriculture, and competition with heating oil (same distillate product). Diesel prices also respond more sharply to crude oil increases because diesel requires less complex refining, meaning crude costs represent a larger share of the final price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are gas prices going up today?

Gas prices rise when crude oil costs increase (the #1 factor), when refinery outages reduce gasoline supply, during seasonal blend transitions (winter to summer adds $0.10-0.25/gal), or when geopolitical events threaten oil supply. The current Strait of Hormuz crisis has added approximately $0.80/gallon vs. pre-conflict levels by pushing crude above $95/barrel.

Why do gas prices vary by state?

Three main factors: state gas taxes (ranging from $0.09 in Alaska to $0.68 in California), proximity to refineries (Gulf Coast states pay less), and local regulations (California’s environmental standards add $0.20-0.30/gal). Transportation costs, market competition, and fuel-blend requirements create additional variation. Hawaii’s prices are highest due to shipping costs across the Pacific.

Why is diesel more expensive than regular gasoline?

Diesel faces higher federal tax ($0.244/gal vs $0.184 for gas), strong commercial demand from trucking and agriculture, and competition with heating oil for the same distillate supply. Diesel also responds more sharply to crude increases because crude is a larger share of diesel’s final cost.

How often are gas prices updated?

AAA updates national and state gas prices daily. Wholesale gasoline prices change continuously on commodity exchanges. Retail stations typically adjust 1-3 times per week, with a 1-2 week lag behind wholesale movements. Our data is updated daily from the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

What has the biggest effect on pump prices?

Crude oil prices are by far the biggest factor, representing 55-60% of the pump price. A $10/barrel increase in crude typically adds $0.24-0.30/gallon at the pump. Refinery margins, taxes, and distribution make up the rest. Geopolitical supply disruptions affect prices indirectly by moving crude oil.

How do crude oil prices affect gasoline prices?

Gasoline is refined from crude oil, so crude is the primary input cost. When WTI or Brent crude rises, refineries pay more for feedstock and pass costs to wholesale gasoline buyers, who pass them to retail stations. The process takes 1-2 weeks. Approximately 1 barrel of crude (42 gallons) yields about 19-20 gallons of gasoline plus other products.

What is the cheapest state for gas?

Oklahoma typically has the lowest gas prices due to low state taxes, proximity to refineries and crude production, and competitive retail markets. Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi also consistently rank among the cheapest. Gulf Coast states generally benefit from proximity to the nation’s largest refining complex.

Why does summer gas cost more?

EPA requires a switch from winter-blend to summer-blend gasoline each spring (typically April-June). Summer blends have lower vapor pressure to reduce smog-forming emissions but are more expensive to produce. The transition costs $0.10-0.25/gallon extra. Additionally, summer driving season increases demand, further supporting prices.