Regular Gas Price Today in the U.S.: National Average and What Drives It
The latest U.S. national average for regular gasoline from EIA, why prices differ so much between states, and how to pay less at the pump.
Updated October 8, 2026
📊 U.S. national averages · EIA week of Nov 9, 2026
Regular$3.995▼ -0.158 vs prior week
Midgrade$4.608▼ -0.149 vs prior week
Premium$5.013▼ -0.145 vs prior week
Diesel$6.127▼ -0.165 vs prior week
The box above shows the latest U.S. national average for regular gasoline from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly retail survey. Regular (87 octane in most states) is the grade most cars are designed for and the benchmark most people mean by “the price of gas.”
Why your local price can be far from the national average
- State and local taxes: on top of the 18.4¢/gal federal tax, state taxes vary from roughly 10¢ to more than 60¢ per gallon.
- Fuel specifications: California and some metro areas require special cleaner-burning blends that cost more to refine.
- Distance from refineries and pipelines: the Gulf Coast, home to many refineries, is usually cheaper than the West Coast.
- Local competition: stations near highways and in busy downtown areas often charge more.
How to pay less
- Compare stations before you fill up: within one city the spread can exceed 50¢ per gallon.
- Use the grade your owner’s manual specifies — paying for premium when regular is recommended rarely helps (see regular vs premium).
- Estimate trip costs with the fuel calculators.
Follow the weekly history on the U.S. trends page.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the national average updated?
EIA collects retail prices every Monday and publishes them the same day or the next business day.
Is the national average a live price?
No. It is a weekly average across many stations; prices at individual stations can be higher or lower.