The national average for regular gasoline is $4.28 per gallon, down $0.05 from last week. Data comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and was last updated October 19, 2026.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Updated weekly, last data October 19, 2026.
How Much Does Gas Cost Today?
The US average for regular gasoline is $4.28 per gallon, based on the latest weekly data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Prices vary a lot by region. The Gulf Coast is usually cheapest, while California is typically $1 or more above the national average.
Gas Price History
Gas prices have moved in wide swings over the past 20 years.
In July 2008, the average hit about $4.11 per gallon, then dropped below $2 by December during the financial crisis. From 2012 to 2014, prices stayed mostly between $3.40 and $3.70. From 2015 to 2019, they ranged from $2.00 to $2.90 after the shale oil boom pushed supply up. In April 2020, the average fell to around $1.77 when travel stopped during COVID. In June 2022, it passed $5.00, the all-time record, after Russia invaded Ukraine. Since 2023, prices have mostly stayed between $3.00 and $3.80.
One pattern holds: prices can double in a year and then fall just as fast.
What Makes Up the Gas Price
Roughly speaking, a gallon of gas breaks down like this: crude oil is about 50-55%, refining about 15-20%, distribution and marketing about 15%, and taxes about 15%.
The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon and has not changed since 1993. State taxes are added on top and range from about 15 cents to over 60 cents.
What Pushes Prices Up
Higher crude oil prices are the biggest factor. A $1 change per barrel moves gas by about 2.4 cents per gallon, because a barrel holds 42 gallons.
Summer driving also raises prices. Demand peaks from May to August. Refiners also switch to summer-blend gasoline in spring, which is cleaner-burning and costs more to make.
Refinery outages can lift regional prices within days. Hurricanes are a risk too: more than half of US refining capacity sits on the Gulf Coast, and storms between June and November can shut it down. Production cuts by OPEC+ make crude more expensive as well.
What Pushes Prices Down
Weak demand lowers prices. Recessions, high prices and fewer commuters all reduce the amount of gas people buy.
More supply helps too. Higher US shale production and OPEC+ output increases add barrels to the market.
Winter-blend gasoline is cheaper to make, so prices often fall in the fall. A stronger dollar also tends to lower the price of crude for US buyers, since oil is priced in dollars.
Why Prices Fall Slower Than They Rise
When crude oil jumps, pump prices follow within days. When crude falls, stations lower prices more slowly, over weeks. Economists call this “rockets and feathers.” So the pump price often stays high for a while after crude has already dropped.
What Gas Costs You Per Month
A driver who covers 1,000 miles a month in a car that gets 28 mpg uses about 36 gallons. At $3.50 per gallon, that is about $125 a month, or $1,500 a year. Each 10-cent change in the price adds or removes roughly $3.60 a month for that driver.
Use the calculator below to enter your own miles, MPG and price.
How to Pay Less for Gas
Compare stations. Prices can differ by 30-50 cents between stations in the same city.
Keep your tires inflated. Low pressure can cut fuel economy by up to 3%.
Use regular unless your car requires premium. Premium usually costs 70-80 cents more per gallon.
Slow down on the highway. Fuel economy drops quickly above 60 mph.
Avoid heavy acceleration and hard braking. Both burn more fuel.
Where This Data Comes From
This page uses weekly retail price data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The numbers update automatically. EIA publishes new figures on Mondays, so day-to-day prices at your local station may differ from the national average shown here.
The national average for regular gasoline is shown at the top of this page. It comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and reflects the latest weekly reading.
The data updates automatically. EIA publishes new national figures every Monday, and this page refreshes shortly after.
The national average blends prices from across the country. Local prices depend on state taxes, distance from refineries, local competition and station type. Prices can differ by 30-50 cents between stations in the same city.
The Gulf Coast is usually the cheapest region because many refineries are located there. The West Coast, especially California, is usually the most expensive. See the regional table on this page for the current numbers.
The biggest factor is the price of crude oil, which makes up about half of the pump price. Refinery outages, hurricanes, summer demand, seasonal fuel blends and OPEC+ production decisions also move prices.
Prices are often lowest in late fall and winter, when demand is lower and refiners switch to cheaper winter-blend gasoline. They usually peak from May to August during the summer driving season.
It depends on how much you drive and your car’s fuel economy. A driver covering 1,000 miles a month in a car that gets 28 mpg uses about 36 gallons. At $3.50 per gallon, that is roughly $125 a month. Use the calculator on this page to enter your own numbers.