Statewide average updated daily • Source: AAA
Wisconsin gas prices typically run near the national average, occasionally dipping slightly below it in the Milwaukee and Madison metro areas where retail competition is strong. The state has a moderate tax structure and benefits from proximity to Great Lakes region refinery infrastructure. Wisconsin’s long winters and rural character mean fuel costs have an outsized impact on household budgets compared to more urban states, and seasonal price swings tied to the summer driving season are particularly pronounced.
Wisconsin’s state gas tax is approximately 30 cents per gallon, near the national median. The state also applies a petroleum inspection fee and other minor charges that add a few cents on top of the base excise rate. The overall tax burden places Wisconsin in the middle of the national range.
Wisconsin benefits from proximity to the Chicago area refining infrastructure and Great Lakes pipeline networks that supply the Midwest. Milwaukee in particular has good access to wholesale fuel through terminal facilities that distribute supply throughout the state. Madison and the Fox Valley region also have competitive retail markets that keep prices in check.
Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula border region face higher prices due to longer delivery distances and limited station competition across sparsely populated forested areas. Tourist areas like Door County and the Northwoods lake country see seasonal price premiums driven by summer visitor demand.
Did you know? Wisconsin has more miles of shoreline than any state except Alaska, and its extensive network of lakes makes it a top state for recreational boating — creating significant seasonal marine fuel demand that influences summer retail pricing in lake communities. Wisconsin dairy farmers are among the largest per-capita consumers of diesel fuel in the Midwest, making fuel costs a critical input for the state’s signature industry. Wisconsin’s gas tax is automatically indexed to inflation and increases each April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index.
Compare today’s average in Wisconsin with nearby states to understand regional price differences.
Learn more about what drives gas prices across the United States.
Crude oil prices are the biggest driver of what you pay at the pump. For U.S. and global crude oil production data updated from EIA figures, see Oil Production Live.