Wednesday’s slight gas price increase also means that gas is more expensive today than it was yesterday, when the average price was $3.16 per gallon, and a week ago when it was $3.171 per gallon. Compared to a year ago, when the national average gas price was $3.657, gas is significantly cheaper. However, much of that decrease happened during the second half of 2024, when fuel prices gradually fell for the rest of the year. By December 2024, the cost of regular gas had dropped to $3.011 per gallon. 

Since then, fuel costs have fluctuated between $3.05 and $3.27 per gallon. In March, prices dropped to $3.078 per gallon before rising again. As recently as the first week of April, gas prices were as high as $3.268 per gallon on April 4. Various geopolitical issues have facilitated the fluctuation in gas prices, stemming from wars in the Middle East and tariff policies proposed by President Donald Trump being among the top reasons. 

Additionally, where one lives is a significant determining factor in how much one pays for gas. Fuel costs differ depending on the state and region of the country. Currently, the most expensive gas prices in the country are located in states on the West Coast. States with the least expensive fuel costs are found in those states located in and around the Gulf of America. 

AN OVERDUE INVESTIGATION OF ACTBLUE

Currently, Mississippi has the cheapest statewide average cost for a gallon of regular gas in the nation at $2.669 per gallon. Louisiana is next at $2.734, followed by Tennessee at $2.753, Texas at $2.761, and Alabama at $2.769.

Meanwhile, California’s average statewide gas price is near the $5 per gallon threshold. The average cost for a gallon of regular gas in the Golden State was $4.778. Hawaii is the next most expensive state, at $4.503 per gallon, followed by Washington state at $4.273. The next two highest averages are slightly below the $4-per-gallon threshold. Oregon has an average gas price of $3.910 per gallon, and Nevada’s is $3.842.