states with the lowest gas prices

By Sam Stebbins  •  March 18, 2026
Close-up of a vintage gas pump station showing fuel prices and octane ratings in Los Angeles.
Photo by Ekaterina Belinskaya on Pexels

Now well into its third week, the war in Iran is roiling global markets. Limited in its capacity to respond militarily against American and Israeli air strikes, the Islamic Republic is exacting an economic toll by leveraging its control of the Strait of Hormuz – a key shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait, and since the start of the war, the Strait has effectively been closed. 

In recent weeks, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps have reportedly been laying mines in the Gulf region, and at least 17 vessels – including multiple oil tankers – have been attacked. The threats to commercial shipping has rendered the Strait impassable, triggering what many experts are calling the worst shock to global oil supplies in history. 

Since early March, oil futures have surged by over 45%, with Brent crude prices topping $100 a barrel for the first time in nearly four years. To offset the supply squeeze and keep prices in check, members of the International Energy Agency agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in the coming months – including 172 million barrels from the United States. In addition, President Trump has lifted sanctions on Russian oil. Still, despite these measures, American motorists are feeling the pinch. 

As of March 17, 2026, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. was $3.79 – a nearly 30% increase from mid-February, according to AAA. Prices at the pump vary from state to state, however, and while gas is selling for over $5.50 in California, there are other states where prices remain relatively low, despite recent increases. 

Using data from AAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states with the lowest gas prices. We ranked every state on the average price of a gallon of regular gas as of March 17, 2026. Supplemental data on historical and local prices are also from AAA. Only the 10 states with the lowest average gas prices are listed. 

Among the states on this list, average gas prices currently range from $3.41 to $3.21 per gallon. In most of these states, there are counties or cities where gas is still selling for less than $3.00 per gallon. 

10. Mississippi

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.41 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.05 1 week ago; $2.48 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Hattiesburg; $3.37 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Chickasaw County; $3.25 per gallon

9. Wisconsin

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.39 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.18 1 week ago; $2.56 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: La Crosse; $3.20 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Burnett County; $3.16 per gallon
cars parked on roadside near buildings during daytime
Photo by Niko Vassios on Unsplash

8. Iowa

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.34 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.19 1 week ago; $2.45 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Council Bluffs; $3.22 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Lucas County; $3.00 per gallon

7. Nebraska

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.33 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.15 1 week ago; $2.58 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Norfolk; $3.26 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Polk County; $2.97 per gallon

6. Missouri

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.31 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.03 1 week ago; $2.52 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Joplin and Springfield; $3.12 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Adair County; $2.90 per gallon

5. South Dakota

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.29 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.10 1 week ago; $2.58 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: North Sioux City; $3.24 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Gregory County; $2.87 per gallon

4. Arkansas

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.28 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.05 1 week ago; $2.46 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Fort Smith; $3.04 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Scott County; $2.93 per gallon

3. North Dakota

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.27 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.08 1 week ago; $2.53 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Fargo-Moorhead; $3.23 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Billings County; $2.76 per gallon

2. Oklahoma

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.23 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $3.01 1 week ago; $2.30 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Lawton; $3.08 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Bryan County; $2.99 per gallon

1. Kansas

  • Average price per gallon in state: $3.21 (regular) 
  • Historical prices per gallon: $2.96 1 week ago; $2.47 1 month ago
  • Metro area with the lowest gas prices: Manhattan; $3.18 per gallon
  • County with the lowest gas prices: Pawnee County; $2.77 per gallon


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