Katerina Swanson
The price of a gallon of 100LL fuel is a topic of interest to pilots and aircraft enthusiasts. In the past, 100LL fuel was twice the price of regular unleaded fuel, but more recently, prices have been higher, at around $7 per gallon in the Midwest and up to $9-10 per gallon in the Bahamas and Canada. The price of 100LL fuel is affected by various factors, including the cost of raw stock, the complexity and expense of manufacturing, and transportation methods, as its lead content prevents it from being transported via pipeline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National average price per gallon | $6.50 |
| Price in the FAA Alaska region | $10.28 |
| Price in the FAA Central region | $5.93 |
| Price in the Midwest | $7+ |
| Price in California | $7-8 |
| Price in the Bahamas | $9-10 |
| Price in Canada | $9 |
| Price in Indianapolis | $7+ |
| Price in Iowa | $4.96 |
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What You'll Learn
- The national average price in the US is $6.50 per gallon
- Prices vary across the US, from $5.93 in the Central region to $10.28 in Alaska
- Prices in Canada and the Bahamas are higher, at around $9 per gallon
- LL prices are typically higher than car gasoline prices
- LL prices tend to be more stable than car gasoline prices
The national average price in the US is $6.50 per gallon
As of July 5, 2025, the national average price for 100LL aircraft fuel in the United States is $6.50 per gallon. This price is an average across 3,230 FBOs (Fixed-Base Operators) reporting aircraft fuel prices over the preceding 30 days.
The price of 100LL fuel can vary significantly by region. For example, the FAA Alaska region reported the highest average price at $10.28 per gallon, while the FAA Central region reported the lowest average price at $5.93 per gallon.
In August 2022, prices for 100LL fuel in the Midwest were reported to be generally above $7 per gallon and rising. Prices in the Indianapolis area were said to be "all 7+ a gallon still," with some airports offering more competitive rates. In contrast, a comment from the same month mentioned a price of $4.96 per gallon in Iowa.
Outside of the contiguous US, 100LL fuel prices can be even higher. For instance, a comment from August 2022 mentioned prices of $9-10 per gallon in the Bahamas and $9 per gallon in Canada observed in the previous two months.
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Prices vary across the US, from $5.93 in the Central region to $10.28 in Alaska
As of July 5, 2025, the national average price for 100LL aircraft fuel in the US is $6.50 per gallon. However, prices vary significantly across different regions, with the Central region reporting the lowest prices and Alaska the highest.
In the Central region, which includes states such as Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, the average price of 100LL fuel is $5.93 per gallon. This is the lowest price across all FAA regions in the US. The low fuel prices in the Central region can be attributed to various factors, including the region's proximity to major fuel production and distribution centers, as well as the relatively lower taxes and operational costs in these states.
On the other hand, Alaska reports the highest 100LL fuel prices in the country, with an average price of $10.28 per gallon. The remote location of Alaska, coupled with the challenging logistics of fuel transportation and distribution in the state, contributes to the higher prices. The harsh weather conditions and the limited infrastructure can also increase the costs of fuel supply and maintenance, which are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices at the pump.
The price disparity between the Central region and Alaska highlights the impact of geographical factors and market dynamics on fuel pricing. The Central region benefits from efficient fuel distribution networks and a competitive market, driving down costs for consumers. In contrast, Alaska's unique challenges, including its remote location and extreme climate, result in a more complex and costly fuel supply chain.
It's worth noting that these prices are subject to change and may not reflect the most recent fuel cost updates. Fuel prices can fluctuate due to various economic, political, and environmental factors, and it's advisable to refer to the latest reports for the most accurate and up-to-date information on aviation fuel prices in different regions of the US.
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Prices in Canada and the Bahamas are higher, at around $9 per gallon
The price of 100LL fuel can vary depending on location and over time. As of July 5, 2025, the national average price for 100LL aircraft fuel in the US was $6.50 per gallon. However, prices can be higher in certain regions, such as Alaska, where the average price was $10.28 per gallon.
In Canada and the Bahamas, prices for 100LL fuel are significantly higher than in the US. While the exact price in these countries was not readily available, it is estimated to be around $9 per gallon. This is likely due to various factors such as taxes, transportation costs, and local market conditions.
The price of 100LL fuel has been a topic of discussion among pilots and aircraft owners, especially when compared to the prices of automotive gasoline. Some sources indicate that 100LL fuel prices used to be twice that of regular unleaded gasoline. However, in recent times, this correlation seems to have changed, and the price difference has widened.
In the Midwest, for example, 100LL fuel prices have continued to rise, reaching $7 or more per gallon, while automotive gasoline prices have declined. This disparity in price movement can be attributed to various factors, including the lower consumption of 100LL fuel compared to automotive gasoline, refining processes, and fluctuations in raw stock prices.
The high prices of 100LL fuel can significantly impact the cost of aviation, especially for longer flights or aircraft with higher fuel consumption rates. Pilots and aircraft owners often express concerns about the financial burden of these fuel prices, especially when compared to historical prices, which were significantly lower.
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100LL prices are typically higher than car gasoline prices
The price of a gallon of 100LL fuel can vary across different regions. For instance, in 2022, 100LL fuel prices were reported to be above $7 per gallon in the Midwest, while in Florida, prices were reported to have dropped below $6 per gallon. In 2014, 100LL fuel was priced at $5.49 per gallon at an airport, while the price of unleaded gas at a local gas station was $3.41 per gallon. In 2025, the national average price for 100LL aircraft fuel was $6.50 per gallon, while the national average price for jet fuel was $6.26 per gallon.
There are several reasons why 100LL prices are typically higher than car gasoline prices. Firstly, the distillation and refining process for 100LL is more complex and expensive compared to unleaded gasoline due to its high octane index and the need to prevent volatility at high altitudes. Additionally, 100LL fuel contains tetra-ethyl lead as a detonation inhibitor for high-performance engines, which increases costs due to the requirement for specialized refining, transportation, and storage to prevent contamination of other fuels. The lead additive also results in higher shipping costs as 100LL fuel cannot be transported via pipelines and must be shipped by rail or truck. Furthermore, 100LL fuel is produced in smaller quantities than car fuel, impacting the economies of scale. The lower demand for 100LL fuel compared to car gasoline also contributes to its higher price.
The search for an unleaded replacement for 100LL fuel that is compatible with all engines has been challenging, and alternatives may still be more expensive due to the specialist nature of aviation fuel and the need for a specific hydrocarbon mix. While engine conversions to diesel or automotive fuel have been explored, they are not yet widely adopted due to performance, cost, and logistical considerations.
It is important to note that the pricing of 100LL fuel is influenced by various factors, including production costs, transportation, demand, and the unique requirements of aviation fuel. These factors collectively contribute to the higher prices typically associated with 100LL fuel compared to car gasoline.
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100LL prices tend to be more stable than car gasoline prices
The price of a gallon of 100LL fuel varies over time and by region. For instance, in 2022, 100LL fuel prices were around $7+ per gallon in the Midwest, $7.65 per gallon at one airport, $9-10 per gallon in the Bahamas, and $9 per gallon in Canada. In 2014, 100LL fuel was priced at $5.49 per gallon at one airport, compared to $3.41 per gallon for 91 unleaded gas at a local gas station. In 2025, the national average price for 100LL aircraft fuel in the US is $6.50 per gallon, with regional averages ranging from $5.93 in the Central region to $10.28 in Alaska.
Despite fluctuations and variations in price, 100LL prices tend to be more stable than car gasoline prices. This stability can be attributed to several factors related to the unique characteristics and production processes of 100LL fuel.
100LL fuel, also known as Avgas or aviation gasoline, contains tetra-ethyl lead as a detonation inhibitor for high-performance engines. The presence of lead in the fuel introduces additional costs and complexities to the production and distribution processes. Firstly, refineries must incur the cost of shutting down and cleaning the lead from their equipment before producing other types of fuel to avoid contamination. This leads to increased refinery time and costs for 100LL fuel production.
Furthermore, due to the risk of contamination, 100LL fuel cannot be transported in the same container trucks as unleaded gas, adding to shipping costs. The lead content also results in additional storage requirements, paperwork, and controls in many parts of the world, further contributing to the stable but generally higher prices of 100LL fuel.
Another factor contributing to the price stability of 100LL fuel is its lower demand compared to car gasoline. The amount of 100LL fuel used in an entire year is roughly equivalent to the amount of auto gas consumed in two days. This low demand means that refineries produce 100LL fuel in smaller batches, and the price of those batches tends to hold steady even if the market price for raw materials decreases after production. This dynamic can result in 100LL prices remaining relatively stable or lagging behind changes in car gasoline prices.
Additionally, the distillation and refining process for 100LL fuel is more expensive than for unleaded car gasoline due to its high octane index and the need to treat the fuel to reduce volatility at high altitudes. These specialized processes further contribute to the stable pricing of 100LL fuel, which is less susceptible to market fluctuations compared to car gasoline.
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Frequently asked questions
The national average price for a gallon of 100LL fuel in the US is around $5.07, with prices ranging from $3.30 to $10.00.
100LL fuel is more expensive than Jet A fuel because it is more complicated and expensive to manufacture, and it cannot be transported via pipelines, increasing transportation costs.
The FAA Alaska region is reporting the highest 100LL price at an average of $10.28 per gallon.
