Are You Getting the Cheapest Gas Price in Your State?
Find out where you can get the lowest price at the pump.
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The average gas price in the U.S. is $2.56, according to gas price-monitoring website GasBuddy. That’s up about 28 cents from 2017, and you can expect gas prices to creep higher as the spring travel season ramps up. So whether you’re planning a cross-country trip or want to save more money daily, it pays to know if you’re getting the best gas price in your state.
Click through to discover the average gas prices in every state (starting with highest prices), and see if you’re saving money on gas.
51. Hawaii
Average price of gas: $3.37
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.98
Lowest gas price currently: $2.37
Hawaii is farther away from America’s oil production and refineries than anywhere in the country — and its gas prices reflect that. Hawaii’s statewide record price for gas was set in April 2012, when a gallon of regular unleaded averaged $4.62.
Gas isn’t the only thing that costs more in this state. From rent to utilities, Hawaii is known as being one of the most expensive states to live.
50. California
Average price of gas: $3.37
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.76
Lowest gas price currently: $2.20
One of the most expensive states to own a car, California drivers feel the pain at the pump and in gas taxes. The Golden State has higher gas prices due to taxes and special mandates.
For instance, the state’s air-quality rules require special, oxygenated fuel blends to be refined. Plus, a gas tax increase of 12 cents also took place in October 2017 to fund state transportation projects.
49. Washington
Average price of gas: $3.01
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.65
Lowest gas price currently: $2.08
The higher gas prices in Washington are driven by the state’s gas tax, which is 49 cents per gallon. Part of the reason the gas tax is so high — it ranks second in the nation — is because of legislation passed in 2016 to pay for $16 billion in improvements for the state’s transportation system plan through 2031.
Washington also imports oil from Alaska, which creates a higher transportation expense — and higher fuel cost.
48. Alaska
Average price of gas: $2.98
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.64
Lowest gas price currently: $2.30
Although Alaska ranks among the top five states for the highest price of fuel in the nation, some of its residents are subject to much higher gas prices. Many communities in Alaska are located off the roadways, which means that they chiefly rely on bulk barge delivery of fuel. And, when waterways are impassable, fuel delivery occurs by plane. Both methods result in higher fuel prices for people in these remote areas of the state.
47. Oregon
Average price of gas: $2.89
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.46
Lowest gas price currently: $1.95
Until recently, state law said that Oregonians weren’t allowed to pump their own gas ever. Even though the rule has been relaxed but not totally eliminated — for example, you’re allowed to pump in rural areas during certain hours of the day — gas station attendants are still used, which increases fuel prices at the pump. In addition, Oregon has one of the higher gas taxes in the nation at 34 cents per gallon.
46. Pennsylvania
Average price of gas: $2.87
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.41
Lowest gas price currently: $1.94
Pennsylvania is one of the most expensive states for fueling up — and its gas tax is a big reason why. A gas tax increase in 2017 boosted the state’s wholesale tax to 58 cents per gallon.
Add in the federal tax, and you’ve got nearly 77 cents per gallon in just taxes — the highest in the nation.
45. Nevada
Average price of gas: $2.77
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.43
Lowest gas price currently: $2.11
Nevada also has an expensive gas tax at over 33 percent per gallon, but that’s not the only reason for its higher gas prices. The Silver State’s gasoline comes from refineries in California, which has one of the highest gas prices in the country. Motorists pay for that higher-cost gas as well as the transportation charges to ship it.
44. New York
Average price of gas: $2.76
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.40
Lowest gas price currently: $2.01
New York’s gas prices are in large part driven by its high taxes — the gas tax rose to over 43 cents per gallon in 2017. Combined with the federal tax of 18.40 cents per gallon, New York motorists pay more than 60 cents in taxes per gallon of gas at the pump.
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43. District of Columbia
Average price of gas: $2.75
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.45
Lowest gas price currently: $1.95
High prices in D.C. are likely related to its expensive real estate market — expensive neighborhoods have expensive gas. Motorists can often find lower prices in nearby Maryland and Virginia.
42. Connecticut
Average price of gas: $2.74
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.36
Lowest gas price currently: $1.94
Connecticut exceeds the national average for gas prices, but not so much as in the past. The state currently charges a little over 39 cents in total taxes and fees for every gallon of gas — quite a difference from the 52 cents it collected per gallon a decade ago.
41. New Jersey
Average price of gas: $2.71
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.27
Lowest gas price currently: $1.65
New Jersey, unlike Oregon, has a total statewide ban on self-service gas stations, which plays an instrumental role in gas prices. In theory, gas prices could be lower if the ban was lifted, but the argument is that it provides good jobs. The state also has one of the higher state gas taxes in the nation at over 37 cents per gallon, which also affects prices for New Jersey drivers.
40. Florida
Average price of gas: $2.67
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.14
Lowest gas price currently: $1.79
Florida was one of seven states to raise gas tax prices in 2017 — overall, Florida’s gas tax is also one of the highest in the country at 34.77 cents per gallon, priced to restore and maintain the state’s aging infrastructure. Plus, an additional 18.4 cents goes to the federal government.
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39. Vermont
Average price of gas: $2.66
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.26
Lowest gas price currently: $1.92
Although gas prices have dropped in northern New England after Hurricane Harvey’s appearance in the third quarter of 2017, the average price of gas is still much more than it was pre-hurricane. In recent years, Vermont increased the gas tax, and it is now 32 cents per gallon.
38. Maine
Average price of gas: $2.65
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.23
Lowest gas price currently: $1.84
In addition to crude oil price changes, location plays an instrumental role in Maine gas prices. The Northeast has higher pump prices for gasoline than states near the Gulf Coast or in the Midwest. Maine also has a gas tax of around 31 cents per gallon.
37. Iowa
Average price of gas: $2.64
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.15
Lowest gas price currently: $1.72
Average gas prices in Iowa are up 28 cents from last year’s average. But in some parts of the state — like Council Bluffs metro area — prices are over 20 cents lower than the current average of $2.64 per gallon.
36. Nebraska
Average price of gas: $2.64
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.15
Lowest gas price currently: $1.70
The average price of Nebraska gasoline is a match with Iowa’s price. The state has a gas tax that increased in 2017, but only by 1.5 cents per gallon. The increase, however, is part of a larger plan to raise the gas tax by 6 cents per gallon over the next couple of years to repair and improve infrastructure.
35. Montana
Average price of gas: $2.62
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.23
Lowest gas price currently: $1.75
Montana’s gas prices have historically been higher than the national average. The state’s gas tax, which stayed at 27 cents per gallon for 24 years was raised 4.5 cents in July 2017 to fund road and bridge projects.
34. Rhode Island
Average price of gas: $2.62
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.41
Lowest gas price currently: $1.94
Rhode Island gas prices typically reflect what happens with Gulf Coast refineries. It’s not national trends alone that affect what motorists pay at the pump, however. The state’s total taxes and fees of 34 cents per gallon also plays a major role. Add that to the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents, and you’re paying a total of 52.4 cents per gallon in taxes at the pump.
33. Massachusetts
Average price of gas: $2.62
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.23
Lowest gas price currently: $1.83
The number of gas stations in Massachusetts has drastically decreased, according to The Boston Globe, and Boston has felt a big hit. When there is a limited supply, gas stations don’t have to undercut each other, and customers might be charged more at the pump.
32. Idaho
Average price of gas: $2.61
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.29
Lowest gas price currently: $1.77
Idaho gets most of its oil from Wyoming, and the oil is refined in Salt Lake City, which adds a transport cost that the customer ends up paying. Gasoline prices, however, also reflect demand and follow national trends, such as the impact Hurricane Harvey had, causing gas prices to go up.
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31. North Dakota
Average price of gas: $2.61
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.20
Lowest gas price currently: $1.63
North Dakota does get some oil from the Gulf Coast, but generally not enough to affect its gas prices. Currently, the average price of gas in the Peace Garden State is well below its highest recorded average in 2013 of $4.24 per gallon.
30. Utah
Average price of gas: $2.60
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.25
Lowest gas price currently: $2.39
Utah gets its gas from the Wasatch Pipeline, which carries crude oil from Evanston, Wyo., to Salt Lake City refineries. Gas prices are affected when there’s an issue with the pipeline and truck transportation must be used.
29. Maryland
Average price of gas: $2.60
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.21
Lowest gas price currently: $1.80
Maryland gets gasoline via pipeline from other states and petroleum from abroad. A major pipeline runs through Maryland on its way to the New York, which means gas prices are affected by refinery operations there.
28. Illinois
Average price of gas: $2.60
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.16
Lowest gas price currently: $1.57
Illinois gas prices also fluctuate in response to national trends. Typically, summer-blend gasoline is more expensive, so Illinois and other Midwest states should see prices drop. Illinois’ highest recorded average gas price was $4.32 in May 2011.
27. Michigan
Average price of gas: $2.60
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.17
Lowest gas price currently: $1.49
According to Forbes, Michigan’s substantial gas tax increase in 2017 was the first increase in two decades, with the gas tax nearly tripling. Michigan now has the fifth-highest gas tax in the country. Still, with having a high gas tax, the price at the pump is average.
26. Minnesota
Average price of gas: $2.58
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.17
Lowest gas price currently: $1.52
Like Alabama, Minnesota has lower gas prices and a lower gas tax — 28.5 cents per gallon. Minnesota has had gas tax hike proposals to pay for road improvement projects on and off the political table over the past few years, with no changes being made as of yet.
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25. New Hampshire
Average price of gas: $2.55
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.18
Lowest gas price currently: $1.76
In 2014, New Hampshire had its first gas tax hike in 23 years. Even with the increase, it still has the lowest fuel charge of any state in New England. Every gas tax dollar goes to building and maintaining state, and municipal roads and bridges.
24. Wisconsin
Average price of gas: $2.52
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.21
Lowest gas price currently: $1.67
Although Wisconsin drivers have a higher gas tax — 32.9 cents per gallon — that goes to the state, gas prices here are lower than the national average. State lawmakers have had an ongoing debate about raising taxes to pay for infrastructure projects.
23. Ohio
Average price of gas: $2.51
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.11
Lowest gas price currently: $1.74
Ohio is consistently ranked as one of the least expensive states for gas. In 2017, lawmakers considered nixing the 28 cents per gallon gas tax for a fixed $140 vehicle plate fee.
22. Indiana
Average price of gas: $2.50
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.02
Lowest gas price currently: $1.46
Indiana drivers experienced an uptick in gas prices this summer. In July 2017, the state increased its gas tax by 10 cents per gallon to help pay for state road projects. The next fuel tax adjustment is slated for sometime between now and 2024. Even with the recent increase, at No. 36 on the list, Indiana is enjoying lower gas prices than most of the country.
21. West Virginia
Average price of gas: $2.49
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.15
Lowest gas price currently: $1.68
National trends shift the gas prices for this state as well as the gas tax. Mountaineer State drivers experience their most recent gas tax increase in 2017 — about 3.5 cents per gallon. The DMV, however, also increased costs, including registration fees that went from $28.50 to $50 per year and inspection stickers that rose from $5 to $10.
20. Colorado
Average price of gas: $2.47
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.15
Lowest gas price currently: $1.64
Colorado gas prices are about 9 cents cheaper than the average gas price in the U.S., according to GasBuddy. Some of the cheapest gas prices in the country typically appear in the Rocky Mountain region due to cheaper crude prices and refinery costs — and most of the state’s oil is sourced locally or in nearby states, according to the U.S. Energy Administration.
19. Kentucky
Average price of gas: $2.47
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.07
Lowest gas price currently: $1.57
Kentucky’s gas tax operates more like a sales tax. Although other states implement a fixed-rate per-gallon no matter how much gas costs, Kentucky’s tax changes with the actual cost of gas. Of course, this is great for motorists but bad for state infrastructure.
18. North Carolina
Average price of gas: $2.47
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.06
Lowest gas price currently: $1.74
North Carolina gas prices are far from being some of the highest in the nation. Although the state had a modest increase in its gas tax in 2017 — less than 1 cent per gallon — it is crude oil prices and natural disasters that determine pricing overall.
17. Georgia
Average price of gas: $2.47
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.04
Lowest gas price currently: $1.69
Georgia experienced a modest 0.5 cent gas tax increase on Jan. 1 of 2018; the rates will be revisited at the end of the year. The southern state depends on the Gulf Coast region typically for gasoline and also has a relatively higher total gas tax of 31.59 cents compared with bordering states like South Carolina and Alabama.
16. South Dakota
Average price of gas: $2.44
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.21
Lowest gas price currently: $1.89
South Dakotans enjoy lower fuel prices than more than two-thirds of the country. Although there are no oil refineries here, there are oil production facilities.
If you’re asking yourself, “Where can I find cheap gas near me?” — consider using a gas price-monitoring website or app that updates pricing regularly.
15. Wyoming
Average price of gas: $2.43
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.14
Lowest gas price currently: $1.60
Motorists here have the luxury of lower gas prices than the national average because the state produces its own oil and gas. Most of that activity takes place on federal land or involves federal minerals. State lawmakers recently discussed how to balance state and federal permitting responsibilities and make the process more efficient for the Cowboy State.
14. Kansas
Average price of gas: $2.43
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.03
Lowest gas price currently: $1.46
Location contributes to this state’s lower gas prices, as well as its 24-cents-per-gallon tax. Recently, however, lawmakers have pushed for an 11-cent boost in that tax to increase revenue for road projects, which hasn’t taken effect.
13. Virginia
Average price of gas: $2.42
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.04
Lowest gas price currently: $1.61
Some drivers might not believe that Virginia has some of the lowest gas prices in the country, particularly those in Oakton or Alexandria — basically extensions of D.C. — where gas prices are much higher. To get a current reading on gas prices in Virginia, be sure to consider location and use a gas calculator or GasBuddy.
12. Louisiana
Average price of gas: $2.42
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.03
Lowest gas price currently: $1.57
Louisiana motorists enjoy the luxury of a lower gas tax and gas prices. Recently, however, lawmakers pushed to hike gas tax prices, which would increase prices at the pump. Currently, the gas tax is holding at 20 cents per gallon.
11. New Mexico
Average price of gas: $2.39
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.23
Lowest gas price currently: $1.73
Gas prices in New Mexico are typically lower than the national price because New Mexico has its own source of oil. The state is the seventh-largest net supplier of energy to the nation, which includes petroleum, natural gas and coal. Its gas tax of 17 cents is also one of the lowest in the country.
10. Arizona
Average price of gas: $2.39
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.10
Lowest gas price currently: $1.73
With average gas prices that are comparable to both New Mexico and Tennessee, Arizona also has a low gas tax of 18 cents. According to GasBuddy, Arizona’s highest and lowest recorded average gas prices both occurred in 2008.
9. Tennessee
Average price of gas: $2.39
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.98
Lowest gas price currently: $1.55
Before Hurricane Harvey hit in the summer of 2017, it wasn’t uncommon to see gas prices hovering around the $2 mark in the Volunteer State. When disaster struck, Tennessee wasn’t immune to increasing gas prices, which have since declined but are nowhere near what they were approximately a year ago.
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8. Delaware
Average price of gas: $2.37
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.14
Lowest gas price currently: $2.23
Although Delaware has one of the lowest gas prices in the nation, $2.37 is still higher than the lowest price recorded in 2017. To be fair, the 23 cent gas tax has some bearing on the current prices.
7. Arkansas
Average price of gas: $2.37
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.99
Lowest gas price currently: $1.52
Although Arkansas has lower than average gas prices, its gas tax of 21.5 cents is higher than any of its bordering states. It’s unlikely however, that motorists will see exorbitant fuel prices at Arkansas’ pumps: The highest recorded average fuel price in the last 10 years didn’t even break the $4 mark, according to GasBuddy.
6. Missouri
Average price of gas: $2.37
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.97
Lowest gas price currently: $1.91
Missouri ranks within the top five lowest gas prices in the nation. Although the average price of gas is above the $2 mark, Missouri has seen gas prices around $1 less per gallon as recently as 2016.
5. Alabama
Average price of gas: $2.36
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.95
Lowest gas price currently: $1.54
Alabama has one of the lowest gas taxes — the state has not raised it since 1992. Some lawmakers, however, have recently made a push to change that — one bill proposed the gas tax should be raised by 4 cents in 2017 and 2 cents in 2019, but no changes have been made.
4. Oklahoma
Average price of gas: $2.35
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.95
Lowest gas price currently: $1.37
Last year, in early 2017, you could find gas in Oklahoma for a bargain at less than $1.50. In 2018, the average price of gas is much higher, but Oklahoma still ranks as one of the states with the lowest gas prices in the nation.
3. Mississippi
Average price of gas: $2.34
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.96
Lowest gas price currently: $1.55
One of the least expensive states in which to buy gas is Mississippi. Its proximity to the Gulf Coast keeps prices low, and its gas taxes rank as one of the lowest in the country.
2. South Carolina
Average price of gas: $2.34
Lowest gas price in 2017: $1.90
Lowest gas price currently: $1.55
The Palmetto State typically has lower gas prices than the rest of the country and ranks No. 38 on this list. South Carolina, however, recently raised its sales tax per gallon from 16.75 cents to 28.75 cents to fund road improvement projects over the next six years.
Before the hike, the state had one of the lowest and most outdated gas tax rates in the nation, having not seen an increase since the beginning of 1989.
1. Texas
Average price of gas: $2.32
Lowest gas price in 2017: $2.03
Lowest gas price currently: $1.54
Texans enjoy cheaper gas prices because of their state’s oil production. Texan drivers, however, still have to pay when problems occur with oil refineries — like when a major hurricane shuts them down.
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Disclaimer: Gas prices are accurate as of Feb. 9, 2018, via GasBuddy.com
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