Gas Price Update — Week of May 4, 2026

The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stands at $4.457 as of this week. That figure represents the average American driver paying roughly $66 to fill a 15-gallon tank, a cost that continues to strain household budgets across the country. While prices vary considerably depending on where you live, the national average serves as a useful benchmark for understanding broad trends in fuel affordability.

Gas prices have risen sharply over the past several weeks, with the national average climbing $0.346 from last week and $0.353 compared to one month ago. Those increases suggest a sustained upward trend rather than a single-week spike, pointing to underlying pressure on fuel costs. Factors commonly driving such increases include higher crude oil prices, seasonal demand shifts as spring and summer travel picks up, and regional refinery transitions to summer-blend gasoline formulations, which are more expensive to produce.

The gap between the most and least expensive states is striking this week. California leads the nation at $6.114 per gallon, followed by Washington at $5.673 and Hawaii at $5.639. Drivers in those states are paying more than double what consumers in the cheapest states are seeing. Georgia currently holds the lowest average at $3.859, with Oklahoma close behind at $3.885 and Mississippi at $3.898. This spread of more than $2.25 per gallon reflects differences in state fuel taxes, environmental regulations, refinery access, and distribution costs.

Next week, watch for any announcements from OPEC and its allies regarding production levels, as supply decisions from major oil-producing nations can move prices quickly at the pump. Domestic refinery output reports and changes in crude oil futures markets will also be key indicators. If the current trend holds, prices could continue edging higher through the coming weeks, particularly in states already near or above the six-dollar mark.