Gas Price By State

Navigating the roads of uncertainty, the price of gasoline in the United States has skyrocketed since the pandemic. The gas price surge can be attributed to a surge in travel after a year of stagnation, due to the pandemic, and geopolitical events such as the Ukrainian crisis that disrupted oil supplies from Russia, a leading global supplier.

State taxes, transportation costs, levels of supply, and proximity to major oil refineries all contribute to the disparities in gas prices across states. Consequently, the price at the pump can fluctuate dramatically as you traverse from one state to another.

• The costliest gas can be found along the West Coast, with Washington at a gripping $4.93 per gallon climbing to the top spot, followed closely by California at $4.89, and Oregon at $4.58. Hawaii and Alaska, despite their lack of mainland connectivity, also suffer from high gas prices, at $4.69 and $4.30 per gallon respectively. 
• Conversely, the Southeast and Midwest provide some relief to drivers with much lower prices. Mississippi crowns the list of least expensive states with an average gas price of $3.04 per gallon. The neighboring states of Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas also boast prices under $3.20 per gallon. 
• States that saw an unprecedented surge in travel and tourism after the pandemic, like Nevada and Florida, experienced a relative uptick in gas prices, with Nevada hitting $4.21 per gallon, and Florida at $3.48. 
• States with substantial oil refinery operations like Texas aren't immune to the price surge, but still maintain comparatively lower prices at $3.23 per gallon. 
• The border states of the Midwest and the Rockies, such as Illinois, Colorado, Utah, and Montana, all exhibit relatively high prices ranging from $3.82 to $3.74 per gallon.

The state of Washington holds the unfortunate honor of having the highest gas prices nationwide, with an average price per gallon hitting a staggering $4.93. Hot on its heels is California, the state infamous for its high cost of living; the average gas price here stands at a close $4.89 per gallon, amplifying the financial strain on its residents.

Just shy of the $4.70 mark is Hawaii, with an average gas price of $4.69 per gallon. The costs associated with transporting fuel to this remote Pacific archipelago result in Hawaii’s consistently high gas prices.

Both Oregon and Alaska bump the average price up to roughly $4.60 and $4.30 per gallon, respectively. Next, we see Nevada, with its residents paying an average of $4.21 for a gallon of gas, likely influenced by its influx in tourism and the consequent rise in demand.

Rounding out the top ten are Utah, Idaho, Illinois, and Colorado. Despite their diverse geographical placements, they share the commonality of elevated gas prices. Utah’s average stands at $3.96, while Idaho’s gas price lingers around $3.89 per gallon. In Illinois, the average gas price is $3.84 per gallon, and in Colorado, it is slightly lower at $3.82 per gallon.

Highest Gas Prices in the U.S.:

1. Washington - $4.93
2. California - $4.89
3. Hawaii - $4.69
4. Oregon - $4.58
5. Alaska - $4.30
6. Nevada - $4.21
7. Utah - $3.96
8. Idaho - $3.89
9. Illinois - $3.84
10. Colorado - $3.82

Mississippi tops the list of states with the lowest average gas price, standing at just $3.04 per gallon. Residents of Alabama and Tennessee also enjoy comparably low gas prices with both states having an average price of $3.17 per gallon. In Louisiana, the average gas price is marginally higher but still low at $3.18, followed closely by Arkansas, with an average price of $3.19.

Texas, known for its oil refinery operations, maintains a relatively lower average gas price at $3.23. While States like Kentucky, Oklahoma and Ohio's average gas prices are slightly higher but remain reasonably affordable at $3.25, $3.26, and $3.28 respectively. Missouri is another state which lands in the list of low gas price states with an average price per gallon standing at $3.28.

Lowest Gas Prices in the U.S.:

1. Mississippi - $3.04
2. Alabama - $3.17
3. Tennessee - $3.17
4. Louisiana - $3.18
5. Arkansas - $3.19
6. Texas - $3.23
7. Kentucky - $3.25
8. Oklahoma - $3.26
9. Missouri - $3.28
10. Ohio - $3.28