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U.S. gas prices in May 2026
Regular gasoline in the United States averaged $4.479 per gallon in May 2026, based on 4 weekly EIA readings. That is 37.7 cents higher than in April 2026. Compared with May 2025, prices were $1.33 higher.
Diesel averaged $5.600 per gallon, 9.8 cents higher than in April 2026.
Weekly regular price in May 2026
The lowest weekly average was $4.452 (week of May 4, 2026) and the highest $4.500 (week of May 11, 2026).
National averages: May 2026
| Fuel | May 2026 | April 2026 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gasoline | $4.479 | $4.103 | $3.150 |
| Diesel | $5.600 | $5.501 | $3.499 |
Cheapest and most expensive states
Among the states EIA tracks individually, Texas had the cheapest regular gas in May 2026 at $3.916 per gallon, while California was the most expensive at $5.949 – a gap of $2.03 per gallon, or about $30.50 on a 15-gallon fill-up. The biggest monthly move was in Ohio (up 84.9 cents), while California changed up 21.6 cents.
| State | Regular, avg | vs last month | vs last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $3.916 | +$0.224 | +$1.173 |
| Minnesota | $4.218 | +$0.545 | +$1.226 |
| Florida | $4.246 | +$0.278 | +$1.303 |
| Massachusetts | $4.408 | +$0.486 | +$1.464 |
| Colorado | $4.441 | +$0.662 | +$1.416 |
| New York | $4.476 | +$0.433 | +$1.434 |
| Ohio | $4.627 | +$0.849 | +$1.612 |
| Washington | $5.571 | +$0.329 | +$1.413 |
| California | $5.949 | +$0.216 | +$1.320 |
See each state's history: Texas · Minnesota · Florida · Massachusetts · Colorado · New York · Ohio · Washington · California.
Regions (PADD)
| Region | Regular, avg | vs last month | vs last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast (PADD 3) | $3.949 | +$0.244 | +$1.217 |
| Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) | $4.140 | +$0.281 | +$1.234 |
| East Coast (PADD 1) | $4.299 | +$0.349 | +$1.317 |
| Midwest (PADD 2) | $4.389 | +$0.556 | +$1.376 |
| New England (PADD 1A) | $4.450 | +$0.471 | +$1.477 |
| Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) | $4.469 | +$0.534 | +$1.343 |
| Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) | $4.492 | +$0.408 | +$1.384 |
| West Coast excluding California | $5.168 | +$0.217 | +$1.372 |
| West Coast (PADD 5) | $5.593 | +$0.216 | +$1.361 |
Major cities
Of the metro areas in the EIA survey, Houston was the cheapest in May 2026 ($3.830) and San Francisco the most expensive ($6.094).
| City | Regular, avg | vs last month | vs last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $3.830 | +$0.141 | +$1.158 |
| Miami | $4.306 | +$0.289 | +$1.361 |
| Boston | $4.438 | +$0.488 | +$1.494 |
| Denver | $4.448 | +$0.683 | +$1.427 |
| New York City | $4.462 | +$0.454 | +$1.479 |
| Cleveland | $4.772 | +$0.932 | +$1.666 |
| Chicago | $4.894 | +$0.619 | +$1.475 |
| Seattle | $5.745 | +$0.291 | +$1.372 |
| Los Angeles | $5.923 | +$0.184 | +$1.404 |
| San Francisco | $6.094 | +$0.313 | +$1.219 |
Oil prices and gas prices
Brent crude averaged $104.23 per barrel in May 2026, 1.3% higher than in April 2026. Crude oil is the biggest single part of the pump price, but taxes, refining margins, seasonal fuel blends and local supply also matter. See the live oil price page.
FAQ
What was the average price of gas in May 2026?
Regular gasoline averaged $4.479 per gallon in the United States in May 2026, according to the weekly EIA survey.
What was the average price of diesel in May 2026?
Diesel averaged $5.600 per gallon nationally in May 2026.
Which state had the cheapest gas in May 2026?
Texas had the lowest average among the states EIA tracks individually: $3.916 per gallon.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), weekly retail gasoline and diesel prices (public domain). Monthly figure = average of the weekly Monday readings in the month. Calculations by FuelPriceAtlas.
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