US gas prices March 2026
US gas prices March 2026: Gas prices are moving up again across the country. The US national average for regular gasoline climbed back above $3 per gallon this week, rising nearly 8 cents from the previous week, Investopedia reported, citing new data from the US Energy Information Administration. The increase ends a 13-week stretch during which prices had stayed below $3.
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Southern and Midwestern states currently have the lowest prices. Oklahoma has the cheapest statewide average at $2.62 per gallon, followed by Mississippi at $2.64. Kansas and Arkansas are next at $2.70, as per the Investopedia report.
(As per Investopedia report.)
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Prices also depend on proximity to refineries and pipelines, as well as whether a state requires special fuel blends that cost more to produce and transport. California, for example, mandates a unique cleaner-burning gasoline blend that relatively few refineries produce and also has one of the highest gasoline taxes in the country, as per the Investopedia report.
The national average rose nearly 8 cents this week, moving back above $3 per gallon after staying below that level for 13 weeks.
What is the current national average for gas?
The US national average for regular gasoline is now back above $3 per gallon.
US Gas Prices Climb Back Above $3 After 13-Week Streak
That period began at the start of December, when the national average fell under $3 for the first time since May 2021. Prices remained below that level for three months before edging higher in the latest reading.Why Gas Prices Are Rising Again Amid Global Tensions
Oil prices have increased in recent days amid the Iran conflict and broader global tensions. Changes in crude oil markets typically take time to reach retail gas prices, but the recent rise is now showing up at the pump.Also read: X Money is coming soon: What it is, how it works, and why Elon Musk is betting big
Where Gas Is Cheapest Right Now: Southern and Midwestern States Lead
Where you live continues to make a big difference in what you pay.Southern and Midwestern states currently have the lowest prices. Oklahoma has the cheapest statewide average at $2.62 per gallon, followed by Mississippi at $2.64. Kansas and Arkansas are next at $2.70, as per the Investopedia report.
Most Expensive States for Gas: California, Hawaii, and Washington
In contrast, California drivers are paying an average of $4.67 per gallon. Hawaii follows at $4.40, and Washington drivers are paying about $4.38. The gap is significant, a driver filling up in Oklahoma is paying roughly $2 less per gallon than someone in California.State-by-State Gas Prices: Where Drivers Pay the Least and the Most Per Gallon
| Location | Average Price (Per Gallon) |
| National Average | Just above $3.00 |
| Oklahoma | $2.62 |
| Mississippi | $2.64 |
| Kansas | $2.70 |
| Arkansas | $2.70 |
| California | $4.67 |
| Hawaii | $4.40 |
| Washington | $4.38 |
A Look Back: When Gas Prices Topped $5 in 2022
The national average has been much higher before. In the summer of 2022, prices surged into the $4 range and briefly topped $5 per gallon, marking the highest levels in more than a decade.Also read: Quote of the day by Winston Churchill: 'If you're going through hell, keep...' - lessons on courage, determination, persistence and mental strength by the former prime minister of United Kingdom and Nobel Prize winner
Why Gas Prices Vary So Much by State
The differences between states reflect structural factors in how gasoline is taxed, produced, and distributed. Fuel taxes are one of the biggest reasons prices vary by state, according to the US Energy Information Administration. In late 2025, taxes accounted for more than 17% of the average price per gallon, and states that add more taxes and fees tend to have higher pump prices.Prices also depend on proximity to refineries and pipelines, as well as whether a state requires special fuel blends that cost more to produce and transport. California, for example, mandates a unique cleaner-burning gasoline blend that relatively few refineries produce and also has one of the highest gasoline taxes in the country, as per the Investopedia report.
FAQs
Why are gas prices going up again?The national average rose nearly 8 cents this week, moving back above $3 per gallon after staying below that level for 13 weeks.
What is the current national average for gas?
The US national average for regular gasoline is now back above $3 per gallon.
