Sylvie Willis
The price of gasoline is a highly relevant topic for consumers and businesses alike, impacting transportation costs and influencing inflation. With gasoline prices fluctuating over time, it is essential to stay informed about the current rates to make informed decisions, whether filling up personal vehicles or calculating business expenses. Gasoline prices can vary across regions, and understanding the factors influencing these variations is crucial for effective financial planning. In addition, exploring alternative fuel sources and their cost comparisons with gasoline is an increasingly important aspect of the broader discussion on energy consumption and environmental sustainability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 May 2025 |
| Energy content | 114,000-115,010 BTU/US gal (8.8 kWh/L) |
| Engine efficiency | 25-30% |
| Electric motor efficiency | up to 90% |
| Diesel cycle engine efficiency | 40-50% |
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What You'll Learn
Cost of a gallon of gasoline in different US states
The cost of a gallon of gasoline varies across different states in the US. As of July 4, 2025, the AAA National Average price for a gallon of gasoline was $3.152. However, prices differ from state to state. For instance, gasoline prices in Vermont and New Jersey are slightly lower than the national average, at $3.132 per gallon. In contrast, the District of Columbia has a higher gasoline price at $3.347 per gallon.
Other states with relatively lower gasoline prices include Rhode Island ($3.036), New Hampshire ($3.019), and Massachusetts ($3.066). These prices are notably lower than the national average, indicating that gasoline costs can vary significantly within the country.
On the other hand, some states have higher gasoline prices. For example, Delaware has a gasoline price of $3.161, while Connecticut is slightly higher at $3.162. These prices are closer to the national average but still exhibit some variation.
It's worth noting that gasoline prices can fluctuate over time and are influenced by various factors, including taxes, regional differences, and the cost of crude oil. These variations contribute to the dynamic nature of gasoline pricing across different US states.
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Cost compared to diesel
The cost of gasoline and diesel fuel varies over time and by region. In the United States, gasoline and diesel fuel prices are released weekly. As of 2020, diesel fuel and gas fuel costs were about the same in the US, with diesel prices sometimes rising above and other times dropping below the cost of gas. In Canada, diesel prices ranged from C$1.50-1.91 per litre, while gasoline prices were between C$1.71-1.75 per litre.
Diesel typically costs more than gasoline. This is because diesel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline and has a higher hydrocarbon range. A typical diesel range hydrocarbon would contain 12 to 16 carbon atoms, while gasoline consists of hydrocarbons primarily in the range from four carbons (e.g. butane) up to hydrocarbons with around 12 carbons.
However, diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines. According to a study by The Motley Fool, diesel engines were 29% more efficient on the highway and 24% more efficient in the city. Diesel engines also tend to be more durable and last longer than gasoline engines, with fewer components that could malfunction. As a result, diesel engines require less repair and maintenance, which can result in overall economic savings.
The higher cost of diesel fuel must also be weighed against the higher upfront cost of diesel vehicles compared to gasoline vehicles. While diesel engines are more efficient and cost less per mile driven, it can take many years to break even when considering the higher cost of a diesel vehicle. For example, a driver would need an 8-litre gasoline engine to access the same amount of power as a 6-litre diesel engine. Therefore, while diesel fuel may be more economical over the life of the vehicle, the higher upfront cost of a diesel vehicle may be a significant factor for consumers.
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Cost compared to electricity
The cost of a gallon of gasoline varies over time and by region. For example, in the United States, the national average price of gasoline was $3.70 per gallon in September 2022. However, the price has since trended downwards, and it is challenging to predict future prices due to factors such as inflation and the Russian invasion.
When comparing the costs of gasoline-powered vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs), several factors come into play, including fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and upfront purchase prices. Let's break down the cost comparison between gasoline and electricity for vehicles:
Fuel Costs
Fuel costs for gasoline vehicles can be substantial, and prices at the pump vary widely over time and by region. On the other hand, EVs offer significant savings in fuel costs. A 2018 study found that the average cost to fuel an electric car was $485 per year, compared to $1,117 for a gas-powered vehicle. Similarly, a 2020 Consumer Reports study showed that EV drivers spend about 60% less on fuel annually than drivers of gasoline cars. This is further supported by a 2020 Department of Energy study, which calculated that electric vehicle owners save almost $15,000 in fuel costs over fifteen years compared to gasoline vehicles.
Maintenance Costs
Electric vehicles generally have lower maintenance costs than gasoline-powered cars. EVs do not require oil changes or the same level of engine maintenance, making them more cost-effective in this regard.
Upfront Purchase Prices
Electric vehicles often have higher upfront costs than their gasoline counterparts. However, this gap is narrowing as the EV market expands and manufacturers produce more affordable models. Additionally, tax incentives and federal subsidies for eligible buyers can further reduce the price of EVs. According to Cox Automotive data, the average price of a new EV decreased by $14,300 in September 2023 compared to the previous year, making it only $2,800 more expensive than the average gasoline vehicle.
Charging and Refueling Time
It's worth considering the time required for charging an EV compared to refueling a gasoline vehicle. Charging an EV can take longer than filling a gas tank, and the “time burden" of charging may result in opportunity costs. However, charging an EV overnight can mitigate this issue, and most people are not paid to sleep, so the comparison to lost hourly wages may not always be valid.
In summary, while the comparison between gasoline and electricity costs for vehicles is complex and depends on various factors, EVs generally offer long-term cost savings due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses. Additionally, with advancements in technology and increasing market competition, the upfront cost of EVs is becoming more competitive with gasoline vehicles.
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Cost compared to natural gas
As of July 2025, gasoline and diesel fuel prices are released weekly. However, I am unable to provide the exact price of gasoline per gallon as it varies over time and by region.
Natural gas is usually bought and sold in MMBtu's or Therms. Sometimes it is also described as 1,000 cubic feet (MCF), which is approximately 1 MMBtu. Gasoline, on the other hand, is sold by the gallon. While natural gas is described in terms of volume, it is also important to consider the energy content of the fuel. Natural gas contains approximately 1,000 BTUs per cubic foot, while propane, a byproduct of natural gas processing, contains approximately 2,500 BTUs per cubic foot. Because propane burns hotter and more efficiently, you may need less of it to achieve the same results as natural gas.
When comparing the cost of gasoline to natural gas, it is important to put them into the same end-use units to make a meaningful comparison. In the US, the main energy end-use units are British Thermal Units (BTUs) or Kilowatt-Hours (kWh). BTUs are typically used to describe natural gas, while kWh is used for electricity. To compare gasoline and natural gas, we need to look at the BTUs per gallon of each fuel. Gasoline has approximately 120,000 BTUs per gallon, while natural gas has approximately 1,000 BTUs per cubic foot. This means that one gallon of gasoline is equivalent to approximately 120 cubic feet of natural gas.
The cost of gasoline and natural gas can vary over time and by location. As a result, it is difficult to make a direct comparison of their prices. However, natural gas prices tend to be more stable than gasoline prices. In addition, the cost of gasoline and natural gas is not just about the price per unit but also about the efficiency of the fuel. For example, propane may have a higher cost per gallon than natural gas, but because it burns at a rate of two-to-one compared to natural gas, it is the more energy-dense fuel. This means that the cost per million BTUs (MMBTUs) of propane is lower than that of natural gas.
In conclusion, when comparing the cost of gasoline to natural gas, it is important to consider not just the price per unit but also the energy content and efficiency of the fuel. Natural gas tends to have more stable prices than gasoline, but the availability of natural gas may be limited to those with access to local pipelines.
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Cost compared to ethanol
The cost of a gallon of gasoline varies over time and by region. For example, in 2009, the average pump price was $3.42 per gallon, whereas in 2022, a gallon of gasoline cost around $3.09.
When comparing the costs of gasoline and ethanol, it is important to consider their energy content. While ethanol may sometimes appear cheaper than gasoline, it contains about 30% less energy by volume. This means that, despite a lower price per gallon, you will need to purchase more ethanol to get the same energy output as gasoline.
A 2009 comparison test by Edmunds aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of gasoline versus E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). The test involved a 667-mile round trip between San Diego and Las Vegas, using a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT, a flex-fuel vehicle. During the trip, the vehicle achieved an average fuel economy of 18.3 miles per gallon of regular gasoline, spending a total of $124.66 on fuel. In comparison, the vehicle achieved an average fuel economy of 13.5 miles per gallon of E85, spending a total of $154.29 on fuel.
While the price per gallon of E85 was lower than that of regular gasoline, the vehicle's fuel economy was 26.5% worse, resulting in higher overall fuel costs. This illustrates how the seemingly lower cost of ethanol can be misleading when compared to gasoline, due to its lower energy content.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline is often mandated by political decisions and lobbying, rather than being based solely on scientific or economic factors. This can further complicate the cost comparison between gasoline and ethanol.
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