Why prices vary so much
Three main factors: state gas tax (ranges from $0.09 in Alaska to $0.78 in California per gallon), refinery distance, and local environmental regulations (e.g. California's reformulated gasoline blend).
Cheapest states for gas
Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Oklahoma consistently rank in the bottom five for gas prices — typically $2.85–$3.10/gal. See the cheapest states for gas guide.
Most expensive states
California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada and Oregon top $4.20+/gal regularly. See the most expensive states guide.
Every state ranked by annual driving cost
Prices per gallon are only half the story — what matters is the yearly bill. Our 2026 Cost to Drive Index ranks all 50 states + DC by estimated annual fuel cost, with a sortable table you can recalculate with your own miles and MPG.