Ranked · Updated August 15, 2026
Gas Prices by State Ranked: Highest to Lowest (2026)
All 51 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. ranked from most to least expensive at the pump in 2026, using the latest August 15, 2026 prices for regular unleaded. California is #1 at $5.57/gal, while Louisiana is the cheapest at $3.58/gal — a spread of $2.00 per gallon. The U.S. national average sits at $4.07. See also our Gas Prices by State map, Gas vs Oil Prices, and Cost of Living by State.
- California — $5.57/gal (+36.9% vs national; up $0.94 since Jan)#1
- Hawaii — $5.44/gal (+33.7% vs national; up $0.95 since Jan)
- Washington — $5.19/gal (+27.4% vs national; up $1.17 since Jan)
- Alaska — $4.83/gal (+18.8% vs national; up $1.30 since Jan)
- Nevada — $4.78/gal (+17.3% vs national; up $0.90 since Jan)
- Louisiana — $3.58/gal (-12.2% vs national; up $0.85 since Jan)Cheapest
- Indiana — $3.60/gal (-11.5% vs national; up $0.66 since Jan)
- Alabama — $3.61/gal (-11.3% vs national; up $0.89 since Jan)
- Mississippi — $3.61/gal (-11.3% vs national; up $0.92 since Jan)
- South Carolina — $3.63/gal (-10.7% vs national; up $0.86 since Jan)
Ranked by regular unleaded price on August 15, 2026. The "vs U.S. avg" column compares each state to the national average of $4.07.
| # | State | Price (August 15) | vs U.S. avg | Jan 2026 | Change since Jan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $5.57 | +$1.50 (+36.9%) | $4.63 | +$0.94 (+20.3%) |
| 2 | Hawaii | $5.44 | +$1.37 (+33.7%) | $4.49 | +$0.95 (+21.2%) |
| 3 | Washington | $5.19 | +$1.12 (+27.4%) | $4.02 | +$1.17 (+29.0%) |
| 4 | Alaska | $4.83 | +$0.76 (+18.8%) | $3.53 | +$1.30 (+36.9%) |
| 5 | Nevada | $4.78 | +$0.71 (+17.3%) | $3.88 | +$0.90 (+23.1%) |
| 6 | Oregon | $4.72 | +$0.65 (+15.9%) | $3.69 | +$1.03 (+27.9%) |
| 7 | Idaho | $4.43 | +$0.36 (+8.7%) | $3.01 | +$1.42 (+47.0%) |
| 8 | Arizona | $4.40 | +$0.33 (+8.1%) | $3.29 | +$1.11 (+33.8%) |
| 9 | Illinois | $4.32 | +$0.25 (+6.2%) | $3.11 | +$1.21 (+39.0%) |
| 10 | Montana | $4.32 | +$0.25 (+6.1%) | $2.91 | +$1.41 (+48.5%) |
| 11 | Colorado | $4.32 | +$0.25 (+6.1%) | $2.95 | +$1.37 (+46.4%) |
| 12 | Utah | $4.30 | +$0.23 (+5.7%) | $3.08 | +$1.22 (+39.7%) |
| 13 | Michigan | $4.27 | +$0.20 (+5.0%) | $3.05 | +$1.22 (+40.1%) |
| 14 | Wyoming | $4.26 | +$0.19 (+4.7%) | $2.85 | +$1.41 (+49.5%) |
| 15 | Ohio | $4.25 | +$0.18 (+4.4%) | $2.91 | +$1.34 (+46.0%) |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $4.21 | +$0.14 (+3.4%) | $3.10 | +$1.11 (+35.7%) |
| 17 | New York | $4.14 | +$0.07 (+1.6%) | $3.14 | +$1.00 (+31.7%) |
| 18 | Vermont | $4.11 | +$0.04 (+1.1%) | $3.09 | +$1.02 (+33.1%) |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $4.08 | +$0.01 (+0.2%) | $3.18 | +$0.90 (+28.2%) |
| 20 | Connecticut | $4.07 | +$0.00 (+0.0%) | $3.10 | +$0.97 (+31.4%) |
| 21 | South Dakota | $4.03 | $-0.04 (-0.9%) | $2.86 | +$1.17 (+41.0%) |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $4.02 | $-0.05 (-1.2%) | $3.07 | +$0.95 (+31.0%) |
| 23 | Maine | $4.00 | $-0.07 (-1.6%) | $3.04 | +$0.96 (+31.7%) |
| 24 | New Mexico | $3.99 | $-0.08 (-2.0%) | $2.96 | +$1.03 (+34.8%) |
| 25 | Nebraska | $3.98 | $-0.09 (-2.2%) | $2.83 | +$1.15 (+40.7%) |
| 26 | New Jersey | $3.97 | $-0.10 (-2.4%) | $3.01 | +$0.96 (+32.0%) |
| 27 | Minnesota | $3.97 | $-0.10 (-2.5%) | $2.95 | +$1.02 (+34.5%) |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $3.97 | $-0.10 (-2.5%) | $3.02 | +$0.95 (+31.4%) |
| 29 | Rhode Island | $3.96 | $-0.11 (-2.8%) | $3.06 | +$0.90 (+29.3%) |
| 30 | Maryland | $3.95 | $-0.12 (-3.0%) | $3.00 | +$0.95 (+31.7%) |
| 31 | North Dakota | $3.95 | $-0.12 (-3.0%) | $2.80 | +$1.15 (+41.0%) |
| 32 | Iowa | $3.95 | $-0.12 (-3.0%) | $2.88 | +$1.07 (+37.1%) |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $3.91 | $-0.16 (-4.0%) | $2.88 | +$1.03 (+35.7%) |
| 34 | Delaware | $3.90 | $-0.17 (-4.2%) | $2.95 | +$0.95 (+32.2%) |
| 35 | Florida | $3.89 | $-0.18 (-4.4%) | $3.03 | +$0.86 (+28.4%) |
| 36 | West Virginia | $3.88 | $-0.19 (-4.8%) | $2.93 | +$0.95 (+32.3%) |
| 37 | Kansas | $3.83 | $-0.24 (-6.0%) | $2.70 | +$1.13 (+41.7%) |
| 38 | Missouri | $3.82 | $-0.25 (-6.3%) | $2.76 | +$1.06 (+38.3%) |
| 39 | Georgia | $3.80 | $-0.27 (-6.6%) | $2.86 | +$0.94 (+33.0%) |
| 40 | Virginia | $3.78 | $-0.29 (-7.2%) | $2.89 | +$0.89 (+30.7%) |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $3.75 | $-0.32 (-7.8%) | $2.72 | +$1.03 (+37.9%) |
| 42 | Kentucky | $3.72 | $-0.35 (-8.6%) | $2.79 | +$0.93 (+33.3%) |
| 43 | Arkansas | $3.72 | $-0.35 (-8.7%) | $2.68 | +$1.04 (+38.7%) |
| 44 | North Carolina | $3.71 | $-0.36 (-8.9%) | $2.88 | +$0.83 (+28.8%) |
| 45 | Tennessee | $3.67 | $-0.40 (-9.9%) | $2.74 | +$0.93 (+33.8%) |
| 46 | Texas | $3.65 | $-0.42 (-10.3%) | $2.72 | +$0.93 (+34.2%) |
| 47 | South Carolina | $3.63 | $-0.44 (-10.7%) | $2.77 | +$0.86 (+31.2%) |
| 48 | Mississippi | $3.61 | $-0.46 (-11.3%) | $2.69 | +$0.92 (+34.3%) |
| 49 | Alabama | $3.61 | $-0.46 (-11.3%) | $2.72 | +$0.89 (+32.7%) |
| 50 | Indiana | $3.60 | $-0.47 (-11.5%) | $2.94 | +$0.66 (+22.5%) |
| 51 | Louisiana | $3.58 | $-0.50 (-12.2%) | $2.73 | +$0.85 (+31.0%) |
| — | U.S. national average | $4.07 | — | — | — |
Between January and August 15, 2026, Idaho saw the steepest jump in pump prices: up $1.42/gal (47.0% ) — from $3.01 to $4.43.
The smallest move was in Indiana, where prices rose just $0.66/gal. Even the "quiet" states are well above where drivers started 2026.
Which state has the highest gas prices in 2026?
California has the highest gas prices in 2026 at $5.571 per gallon as of August 15, 2026 — +36.9% compared to the national average of $4.07.
Which state has the cheapest gas in 2026?
Louisiana has the cheapest gas in 2026 at $3.575 per gallon (August 15, 2026), or -12.2% versus the U.S. average.
What is the U.S. national average gas price right now?
The U.S. national average for regular unleaded gasoline is $4.07 per gallon as of July 19, 2026.
Why are gas prices so different between states?
Each state sets its own fuel taxes (from about 9¢/gal in Alaska to 68¢+ in California), enforces different fuel-blend requirements, and sits a different distance from major refineries. West Coast states like California, Hawaii, and Washington consistently pay the most because of taxes, specialty fuel rules, and limited pipeline access.
How much have gas prices changed in 2026?
Prices are up across the board so far this year. Idaho saw the biggest jump (+$1.42/gal), while Indiana had the smallest move (+$0.66/gal) between January and August 15, 2026.