These 5 States Have the Highest Gas Prices in the U.S.

Image source: Getty Images

The cost of gasoline continues to fall nationwide, but it may not feel like it, especially if you live in a state with particularly high prices and your credit card charges are higher as a result.

While the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline fell to $3.472 per gallon on Aug. 5, 2024, the memo does not appear to have reached the following states. Here's where drivers can still expect to pay the most per gallon.

Data source: AAA.

What drives the price?

As long as fueling your car impacts your personal finances, it's good to understand that prices are not randomly set. According to the U.S. Energy Administration (EIA), here are the four main factors that determine how much you'll pay at the pump.

1. The cost of crude oil

For gas prices, nothing plays a larger role than the cost of crude oil. Any time U.S. oil production increases, the cost of gasoline dips. When production slows, you can expect an increase in price.

2. Taxes

Also contributing to the retail price of gasoline are federal, state, and local government taxes, and those taxes vary dramatically by city and state. If your area of the country is steeped in gasoline taxes, you pay those taxes every time you hit the pump.

3. Refining costs

One factor that varies by season is the cost of refining crude oil. There's also the matter of additives that may be blended into gasoline. If you've ever noticed that gas prices change by the day (and even by the hour), it's due to the ever-changing cost of turning crude oil into gasoline.

4. Distribution and marketing

Gasoline retailers are in the business of making money. For example, gas prices increase as demand increases, meaning you can expect to pay more during the summer months and other times of the year when more people are on the road. Gas stations out in the middle of nowhere with hardly a competitor in sight can get away with charging a higher price per gallon, while those fighting off nearby competitors may have to soften their prices.

Fighting back against high prices

As you've undoubtedly noticed, there's an app for everything these days, from paying off debt to keeping track of your monthly household budget. Fortunately, there are also plenty of apps designed to help you save money on gasoline. Here are some of the most popular options.

Gas Guru

Using data from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), Gas Guru indicates where in your area gas prices are lowest. You can even filter by price, the fuel grade you're looking for, and how far you're willing to drive.

Fuelio

Fuelio does more than show you where to find the cheapest gas. It also tracks your fill-ups, provides a mileage log, and helps you track vehicle expenses, like tolls, parking fees, and even trips to the mechanic.

GasBuddy

Perhaps the most famous gas app is GasBuddy. All you do is type in your ZIP code, and, like magic, the gas prices for area gas stations will pop up. It's about as simple an app as you can use.

AAA TripTik Travel Planner

You don't have to be an AAA member to access the AAA TripTik Travel Planner app. It shows gas stations and prices in your home area and can help you plan a road trip. With more than 85,000 gas stations throughout the U.S. listed, it's easy to find the cheapest gas no matter where you happen to be.

While you may not be able to control the price of gas, leaning on technology can help you minimize out-of-pocket expenses.

Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 2026

This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.