Site icon Hot Paths

The 20 States With the Highest and Lowest Gas Prices in the US

Press Room

Since the beginning of the Iran war in late February and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Americans have been feeling the effects at the gas pump.

After the conflict started, prices rose sharply across the US. AAA data show the national average peaked in May at roughly $4.56 per gallon, then zigzagged through the end of August, averaging $4.09. Now, as average prices continue to creep up, hitting $4.15 on Friday, AAA expects this to be the most expensive Labor Day on record for gas.

To provide a snapshot of where prices stood heading into the holiday weekend, Business Insider used AAA data to calculate the percent change in gas prices in the 10 priciest and the 10 cheapest states from August 27 to September 4. We also looked at the gas prices on September 4 and compared them with prices reported one year ago.

“The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day. The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on September 3, 2012,” AAA said in a press release. “Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil.”

Still, there are a few ways travelers could score cheaper gas. Chevron rolled out a summer discount for new rewards members, offering $1 off per gallon for up to five fill-ups at participating stations. Maverik, a gas-station chain with stores across the Midwest and western US, has offered eligible customers 15 cents off per gallon since May 12; the promotion ends on Labor Day.

Here are the states with the highest and lowest gas prices nationwide in August.

10. Utah


A man pays at a gas station, next to a white SUV.



A customer pays at a fuel pump in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Michael Yanow/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.40

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.42

Percent change from late August: 0.5% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.32

Percent change from one year ago: 33.3% increase

9. Wyoming




A motorist pumps unleaded gas at a gas station in Lingle, Wyoming.

Al Drago/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.41

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.37

Percent change from late August: 0.9% decrease

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.14

Percent change from one year ago: 39.1% increase

8. Arizona




A Pilot gas station in Eloy, Arizona.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.54

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.53

Percent change from late August: 0.2% decrease

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.49

Percent change from one year ago: 29.8% increase

7. Idaho




A Union 76 gas station in northern Idaho.

: Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.57

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.62

Percent change from late August: 1.1% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.47

Percent change from one year ago: 33.1% increase

6. Oregon




A gas station in Oregon.

Wang Ying/Xinhua via Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.76

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.00

Percent change from late August: 5.0% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.98

Percent change from one year ago: 25.5% increase

4. Nevada (tie)




An Exxon Mobil gas station in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.81

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $4.95

Percent change from late August: 2.9% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.84

Percent change from one year ago: 28.9% increase

4. Alaska (tie)




A Chevron gas station in Anchorage, Alaska.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $4.81

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.00

Percent change from late August: 4.0% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.76

Percent change from one year ago: 33.0% increase

3. Washington




A gas station in Seattle, Washington.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $5.27

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.48

Percent change from late August: 4.0% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $4.40

Percent change from one year ago: 24.7% increase

2. Hawaii




Hawaii’s gas prices stagnated since July. Still, the state has the second-highest prices nationwide.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $5.41

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.42

Percent change from late August: 0.2% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $4.47

Percent change from one year ago: 21.1% increase

1. California




California has consistently seen the highest gas prices in the nation.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $5.63

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $5.81

Percent change from late August: 3.2% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $4.61

Percent change from one year ago: 26.1% increase

41. Indiana




A Sunoco gas station in Indiana.

Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.46

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.45

Percent change from late August: 0.3% decrease

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $3.23

Percent change from one year ago: 6.7% increase

42. Texas




A Shell gas station in Brazoria, Texas.

RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.63

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.69

Percent change from late August: 1.7% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.78

Percent change from one year ago: 32.9% increase

43. Mississippi




Drivers wait in line to refuel at a gas station in Hancock County, Mississippi.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.65

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.73

Percent change from late August: 2.2% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.73

Percent change from one year ago: 36.6% increase

44. South Carolina




Customers fill their vehicles with gas at a Royal Dutch Shell gas station in Sumter, South Carolina.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.67

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.77

Percent change from late August: 2.7% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.87

Percent change from one year ago: 31.7% increase

45. Louisiana (tie)




A Conoco gas station in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.69

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.77

Percent change from late August: 2.2% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.80

Percent change from one year ago: 34.6% increase

45. Tennessee (tie)




Customers fill up their vehicles at a Costco gas station in Tennessee.

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.69

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.83

Percent change from late August: 3.8% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.85

Percent change from one year ago: 34.3% increase

47. Alabama




A Sunoco LP gas station in Montgomery, Alabama.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.71

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.80

Percent change from late August: 2.4% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.84

Percent change from one year ago: 34.0% increase

48. Kentucky




Fuel pumps at a Murphy USA gas station in La Grange, Kentucky.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.73

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.86

Percent change from late August: 3.5% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.94

Percent change from one year ago: 31.3% increase

49. Arkansas




An Exxon Mobil gas station in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.74

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.78

Percent change from late August: 1.1% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.81

Percent change from one year ago: 34.4% increase

50. North Carolina




A driver refuels a vehicle at a gas station in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Gas price on August 27, 2026: $3.76

Gas price on September 4, 2026: $3.85

Percent change from late August: 2.4% increase

Gas price on September 4, 2025: $2.91

Percent change from one year ago: 32.5% increase

Exit mobile version