Gas Price Update — Week of April 20, 2026

The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $4.042 this week, keeping fuel costs above the four-dollar mark for most American drivers. That figure represents what drivers across the country are paying on average at the pump, though prices vary significantly depending on where you live and which station you stop at. For a typical vehicle with a 15-gallon tank, filling up from empty costs roughly $60.63 at the national average price.

Prices fell by about eight cents compared to last week, offering some modest relief after a difficult stretch for household budgets. However, the monthly picture tells a different story — gas is still about thirteen cents more expensive per gallon than it was a month ago, meaning the recent weekly dip has not fully erased the runup seen over the past four weeks. Analysts point to fluctuating crude oil prices and regional refinery activity as the main factors shaping these short-term swings.

The gap between the most and least expensive states remains striking. California leads the nation at $5.837 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.670 and Washington at $5.385, with all three reflecting a combination of higher state fuel taxes, stricter environmental blending requirements, and logistical costs. At the other end of the scale, Oklahoma comes in as the cheapest state at $3.376, with Kansas at $3.473 and Iowa at $3.545 close behind, benefiting from lower taxes, proximity to refineries, and simpler fuel formulation rules.

Drivers should watch for continued volatility in the week ahead, particularly if crude oil markets respond to any new developments in global supply or demand. The recent downward trend in weekly prices could continue if oil remains stable, but the monthly trend upward suggests underlying pressure has not fully eased. Seasonal factors may also start to play a role as summer driving demand picks up, which historically puts upward pressure on pump prices heading into late spring and early summer.