Gas prices are up significantly across the US, with the national average for a gallon of regular now at $4.52.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gas remains above the $4.00 mark—$1.50 more than a year ago. The price now sits at $4.52 a gallon, according to the latest data gathered from AAA. That’s up from $4.14 just a month ago, with the conflict in the Middle East sending crude oil prices skyrocketing. However, the average also fails to reflect the significant price variation across states.
California retains its top spot as the state with the most expensive gas in the nation, with a gallon of gas costing $6.16, up $0.27 from just a couple of weeks ago. That beats out Washington, which sits at $5.76. Hawaii is the state with the third-highest average price at $5.65.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, drivers across the central and southern US are paying more than before, but still the least for regular gas. Despite Oklahoma continuing to have the cheapest gas in the United States, the price for a gallon of regular has increased by $.66 in just over a month. It now sits at $3.95 a gallon compared to $3.01 from mid-march.
Mississippi and Arkansas round out the top three states paying the least, averaging $3.98 and $3.99, respectively. Texans are paying $4.03, up from $3.77, while Florida residents are paying $4.40, about $0.40 more than before.
The increase in the average price for a gallon of regular gas over the last month coincides with a significant increase in mid-grade and premium prices, too. US consumers are now paying $4.99 and $5.37 for those fuel types, over $1 more than compared to a year ago.
Diesel customers are paying a whopping $5.64 a gallon on average, up $2.11 from a year ago. These trends offer a stark picture for consumers: Gas prices remain high and continue to rise for many, with many new car-buyers turning to hybrids.
Here’s a closer look at how average gas prices break down by state (as of May 11, 2026):
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