How gas prices are built
The pump price stacks four layers: crude oil cost, refining, distribution and marketing, and taxes. Crude is usually the largest single component.
Learn
U.S. gas price guide
What builds the number on the sign, why it changes, and how to turn it into your own driving costs. Neutral, practical, and prediction-free.
The basics
What you're actually paying for
Why local prices differ
State taxes, distance from refineries, required fuel blends, and local competition can move your price a dollar or more from the national average.
Seasonal fuel blends
Summer-blend gasoline costs more to produce and is required in warmer months, which is one reason prices often rise in spring.
Refining and distribution
Refinery maintenance and outages tighten gasoline supply even when crude is steady, and trucking costs add a few cents before fuel reaches the station.
Taxes
Federal gasoline tax is fixed per gallon, while state and local taxes vary widely. Taxes are included in the national average shown here.
Vehicle efficiency
Doubling your MPG halves your fuel cost at any price. Efficiency is the biggest lever most drivers actually control.
Common questions
- Is the price on this site my local gas price?
- No. It is the weekly U.S. national average for regular gasoline, including taxes, published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your local price can be meaningfully higher or lower depending on state taxes, fuel blends, and local competition.
- How often does the national average update?
- The EIA publishes it weekly, typically on Monday afternoons Eastern time (Tuesdays after federal holidays). Every figure on this site is labeled with its published data date.
- What is actually included in the pump price?
- Four layers: the cost of crude oil, refining, distribution and marketing, and federal plus state taxes. Crude oil is usually the largest single component, which is why gas prices tend to follow oil prices with a short lag.
- Why do prices rise in spring?
- Refineries switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce and required in warmer months, while many refineries schedule maintenance at the same time. Both tighten supply seasonally.
Ready to put the number to work? Start with the fuel cost calculator or check price history.