The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $4.316 this week. That means the typical driver filling a 15-gallon tank is paying roughly $64.74 per fill-up at the pump. For many households that rely on daily commuting or long-distance travel, prices at this level continue to put noticeable pressure on weekly budgets. The national average serves as a useful benchmark, though what drivers actually pay varies widely depending on where they live.
Gas prices moved higher over both the past week and the past month. The national average rose $0.166 compared to last week and is up $0.239 from a month ago, pointing to a sustained upward trend rather than a one-time spike. Several factors tend to drive increases like these, including rising crude oil costs, refinery maintenance and capacity constraints, and seasonal demand shifts as more drivers hit the road. Until those underlying pressures ease, prices are unlikely to fall quickly.
The gap between the most and least expensive states is striking this week. California tops the list at $6.001 per gallon, followed by Washington at $5.561 and Hawaii at $5.404. Drivers in those states are paying more than $90 to fill a standard tank. On the other end, Indiana comes in at $3.586, Texas at $3.849, and Mississippi at $3.863. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive state is more than $2.40 per gallon, a gap driven by state taxes, local refinery access, and regional fuel blending requirements.
Looking ahead, drivers should watch for any changes in crude oil prices, which remain one of the biggest factors influencing what shows up on gas station signs. Refinery operations and inventory reports released mid-week often give early signals about where retail prices are headed. If current trends continue, further increases are possible before any meaningful relief arrives. Checking prices at multiple stations and filling up earlier in the week, when prices tend to be slightly lower in many markets, can help offset some of the cost.
Data source: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. Prices are statewide averages for regular unleaded gasoline.