Mercedes Mullins
Fuel prices in the United States fluctuate due to various factors, including local taxes, refinery access, and supply disruptions. Gas prices vary across the country, with California and Hawaii topping the list for the highest prices, while Mississippi and Texas offer cheaper options. Gas prices have been on a downward trend since 2022 due to slowing demand. As of early July 2025, the AAA National Average fuel price was around $3.15 per gallon, with prices ranging from $2.70 to $4.48 across different states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gas prices vary across the U.S. | California and Hawaii have the highest prices, while Mississippi and Texas have the lowest. |
| AAA National Average | $3.148 as of 7/5/25 |
| Gas prices by state | Vermont: $3.13 (0-3.133), New Jersey: $3.125-3.142, Delaware: $3.161-3.173, etc. |
| Cheapest day to buy gas | Monday |
| Most expensive days to buy gas | Friday and Saturday |
| Gas prices trend | Steadily fallen each year since 2022 due to slowing demand |
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What You'll Learn
Gas prices vary across states
Gas prices vary across the United States, with several factors influencing the price at the pump. Local taxes, refinery access, and supply disruptions can all cause prices to fluctuate. As of early July 2025, the AAA National Average for a gallon of gas is around $3.15, but prices vary from state to state.
California and Hawaii have the highest gas prices in the country. On July 1, 2025, Hawaii had the highest gas price in the nation at $4.479 per gallon. California is also known for its high gas prices, though exact prices vary depending on the source and location within the state.
On the other hand, Mississippi and Texas offer some of the cheapest gas prices in the country. Texas, in particular, has a reputation for low gas prices, with prices often below the national average.
The day of the week can also impact the price of gas. According to a survey by GasBuddy, gas prices are typically cheapest on Mondays and most expensive on Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, using certain credit cards or purchasing gas at specific stations can result in significant savings. For example, filling up at a Kroger gas station can give you a redemption value of up to 1,000 Fuel Points for $1 off per gallon.
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California and Hawaii have the highest prices
Gas prices in the US vary from state to state, and several factors influence these fluctuations, such as local taxes, refinery access, and supply disruptions. As of early July 2025, California and Hawaii have the highest fuel prices in the nation.
California's gas prices are among the highest in the country, with prices at the pump significantly higher than in most other states. Various factors contribute to this, including the state's unique blend of gasoline, high taxes, and environmental regulations. California has some of the strictest emission standards in the country, which results in a higher cost of producing gasoline that meets these standards. Additionally, the state's gasoline excise tax is relatively high compared to other states, further contributing to the overall price.
Hawaii also consistently ranks among the states with the highest fuel prices. Its isolation as an island state contributes to higher transportation costs, which are passed on to consumers in the form of higher gas prices. Similar to California, Hawaii has a unique blend of gasoline due to environmental regulations, which can increase production costs. Moreover, the state's limited number of gas stations may also play a role in the higher prices.
The high fuel prices in California and Hawaii stand in contrast to states like Mississippi and Texas, which offer some of the cheapest gas prices in the country. The disparity in prices between these states can be significant, with California and Hawaii often exceeding the national average by a notable margin.
While the exact prices may vary from day to day, California and Hawaii consistently remain at the top of the list for fuel prices. Motorists in these states may seek to mitigate the impact of high fuel costs by adopting various strategies, such as strategic credit card usage, rewards programs, and timing their fill-ups on days when gas prices are typically lower, such as Mondays.
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Mississippi and Texas have the lowest prices
Fuel prices in the United States vary widely from state to state. As of July 2025, the national average price of regular fuel sits between $3.15 and $3.17 per gallon. However, prices can be found both above and below this average, with Mississippi and Texas offering the cheapest fill-ups.
In Mississippi, drivers can expect to pay significantly less than the national average. While prices can vary within the state, Mississippi consistently offers some of the lowest fuel prices in the country. This is due in part to the state's relatively low fuel taxes and close proximity to major refining centres. Mississippi's fuel prices are also influenced by competition among gas stations, with many stations offering competitive pricing to attract customers.
Texas, similarly, boasts some of the lowest fuel prices in the nation. While prices can vary across the large state, Texas consistently ranks among the most affordable states for fuel. This is partly due to Texas being a leader in oil production, with a significant number of refineries located within the state. The high volume of refineries in Texas contributes to a steady supply of fuel, helping to keep prices low.
In addition to low fuel taxes and a strong refining industry, both Mississippi and Texas benefit from their geographic location. Being located in the southern region of the country provides these states with easier access to major pipelines and refineries, reducing transportation costs and resulting in lower prices at the pump.
It is worth noting that fuel prices can fluctuate daily and are influenced by various factors, including local taxes, refinery access, and supply disruptions. While Mississippi and Texas consistently offer some of the lowest prices in the nation, drivers in these states can also take advantage of strategies such as redeeming rewards points, using cash-back credit cards, and filling up at certain times of the week to maximize their savings.
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Gas prices are lowest on Mondays
Gas prices in the United States are influenced by various factors, and there can be significant variation from state to state and even within the same city block. However, according to research by GasBuddy, a fuel-savings app that tracks real-time data from over 150,000 gas stations across the country, gas prices are generally lowest on Mondays.
The head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, notes that Mondays, when gas stations are generally quieter, are a great time to fill up. He attributes the lower prices on Mondays to the fact that energy markets are closed over the weekend, and any increases that occur during this time are often passed on to consumers as the week begins. De Haan also emphasizes the importance of shopping around, as gas prices can vary significantly from station to station, and stations may change their prices multiple times a day in response to their competitors' actions.
While Mondays tend to offer the lowest gas prices, there are exceptions. For instance, Tuesday is the best day to fill up in 19 states, while Sunday is the cheapest day in Utah and Wednesday in Hawaii. Additionally, GasBuddy's data shows that prices on Monday afternoons and Fridays tend to be higher, with stations busiest on Friday afternoons. The volatility in gas prices throughout the week underscores the value of monitoring real-time data and being flexible with your fill-up days to maximize savings.
Although there are variations in gas prices across different states and stations, the overall trend suggests that filling up at the beginning of the work week on Mondays can help consumers save money. By staying informed about daily price fluctuations and adapting their purchasing habits, drivers can make significant annual savings on their fuel expenses.
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Credit card benefits and reward schemes
Fuel prices in the United States vary across states. As of July 2025, the price of premium fuel ranges from $2.706 to $4.567 per gallon.
With fuel prices beyond the control of drivers, a gas card can be a great way to earn points and redeem rewards. Credit card benefits and reward schemes for fuel purchases in the US are outlined below:
Closed-loop cards
These cards allow you to earn rewards at a designated retailer only. For instance, the Shell Fuel Rewards Card from Citi offers a discount of 10 cents per gallon at participating Shell stations.
Co-branded cards
Co-branded cards offer more flexibility than closed-loop cards, allowing you to earn rewards at several places. For example, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 5% cash back at Costco gas stations and 4% on other gas and EV stations, up to $7,000 in combined spending annually. After this, you earn 1% back. However, you need a Costco membership to obtain this card, which costs a minimum of $65 per year.
General rewards cards
These cards require good to excellent credit ratings and typically offer 2% to 3% cash back on gas purchases. Cards that earn points may offer five points per dollar spent on gas. For example, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers 3% cash back on up to $6,000 spent annually at US gas stations, supermarkets, and online retail purchases. After this, you earn 1% cash back.
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Frequently asked questions
As of July 3, 2025, the AAA National Average for fuel prices in the US was $3.162. Two days later, on July 5, 2025, the average had dropped slightly to $3.148.
California has some of the highest fuel prices in the US. The exact price will vary depending on the location within the state.
Mississippi and Texas are known for offering cheaper fuel prices compared to other states.
According to a survey by GasBuddy, fuel is usually cheapest in most states on Mondays, while Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the most expensive.
There are a few strategies to maximize savings on fuel in the US:
- Redeem points or use a cash-back credit card when purchasing gas.
- Fill up your tank at a gas station that offers rewards, such as Kroger, where you can get $1 off per gallon.
- Keep an eye on fuel prices using tools like maps and real-time updates, especially when planning a road trip, to find the best prices and avoid overpaying.
