If you’ve pulled up to a pump lately, you might’ve done a double-take at the numbers. Honestly, it’s been a while since we’ve seen digits this low. After years of feeling like we were being robbed at the nozzle, the national average is finally behaving itself.
So, what is the average price of gas today? As of January 13, 2026, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded has settled at $2.73.
That’s a massive relief. Compared to this time last year, we’re looking at a drop of nearly 30 cents per gallon. If you’re filling up a 15-gallon tank, you’re basically getting a free sandwich with every fill-up compared to 2025. It’s not exactly 1999 prices, but it’s the cheapest we've seen since the spring of 2021.
The Wild Gap Between Oklahoma and Hawaii
You’ve probably noticed that the "national average" is kinda like a "one size fits all" shirt—it doesn't actually fit anyone perfectly. Where you live changes everything.
If you’re driving through Oklahoma right now, you’re winning. In some counties there, like Canadian County, folks are seeing prices as low as $2.05. Statewide, Oklahoma is averaging about $2.18. On the flip side, if you’re in Hawaii, you’re still shelling out $4.44. California isn’t much better at $4.23.
👉 See also: Sands Casino Long Island: What Actually Happens Next at the Old Coliseum Site
Why the massive difference?
It basically comes down to three things: taxes, distance from refineries, and local environmental laws. The Gulf Coast is packed with refineries, so states like Texas ($2.42) and Mississippi ($2.44) benefit from lower shipping costs. Meanwhile, the West Coast has its own special "boutique" fuel blends and high state taxes that keep prices pinned to the ceiling.
What Is the Average Price of Gas Today and Why Is It Falling?
It’s easy to think there’s some big "price" button in an office somewhere, but the reality is a messy mix of global politics and basic math. The biggest factor right now is crude oil.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, the US benchmark, is hovering around $60 a barrel. To give you some context, it was way higher just a few months ago. When oil stays low, the pump follows.
Another huge reason for the dip is demand—or the lack of it. It’s mid-January. Nobody is going on road trips. We’re all hunkered down, and when people aren’t driving, stations have to drop prices to move their inventory. Plus, we’re currently using "winter blend" gasoline. It’s cheaper to produce than the summer version because it doesn't need as many expensive additives to prevent evaporation in the heat.
✨ Don't miss: Is The Housing Market About To Crash? What Most People Get Wrong
The 2026 Forecast: Is $2.90 the New Normal?
GasBuddy and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) are both leaning toward a pretty decent year for drivers. They’re projecting an annual average of about $2.90 to $2.97 for the whole of 2026.
Patrick De Haan, who is basically the "gas whisperer" at GasBuddy, noted recently that the world is finally shaking off the "economic whiplash" of the last few years. We’ve got record US oil production (around 13.6 million barrels a day), and that massive supply is acting like an anchor on prices.
Surprising Factors Hiding Under the Hood
Most people think it's just about OPEC or the President, but there are weird, smaller things moving the needle.
Take refinery closures, for example. The LyondellBasell refinery in Houston and the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles are both on the chopping block or already winding down. When a refinery closes, the local supply gets tight, which can cause weird "price spikes" even if the national average is going down.
🔗 Read more: Neiman Marcus in Manhattan New York: What Really Happened to the Hudson Yards Giant
Then there’s the EV factor. It’s subtle, but the more people switch to electric, the more it chips away at total gasoline demand. The EIA thinks this is one of the main reasons prices might stay suppressed long-term. Speaking of electric, if you're a "plug-in" person, the national average for public charging is sitting around 38 cents per kWh.
Don't Get Too Comfortable Quite Yet
The market is fickle. While we're enjoying $2.70-ish gas right now, the "Spring Bump" is a real thing. Usually, around March or April, refineries start their maintenance shutdowns and switch over to that expensive summer blend I mentioned.
Geopolitics is the other wild card. Any major flare-up in the Middle East or shifts in the Russia-Ukraine situation can send oil prices screaming back toward $80 or $90. If that happens, the sub-$3.00 party ends pretty fast.
Actionable Ways to Save at the Pump Today
Since you know what the average price of gas today is, you can tell if your local station is ripping you off. Here’s how to actually keep some cash in your pocket:
- Avoid the Monday/Friday trap: Prices often tick up right before the weekend when people are fueling up for trips. Tuesday and Wednesday are statistically your best bets for the lowest price of the week.
- Check the "County Line" effect: If you live near a state or county border, check the next town over. Sometimes a simple 5-mile drive across a border can save you 15 cents a gallon because of lower local taxes.
- Use the right apps: GasBuddy and AAA’s TripTik are still the gold standard for real-time data. If you see a station that's 20 cents cheaper than the one you usually go to, it's worth the detour.
- Cash is (sometimes) king: Many stations, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, still offer a "cash discount." Just make sure the discount is more than the rewards you'd get from a credit card.
We’re in a rare "sweet spot" for fuel costs right now. Enjoy the lower bills while they last, but keep an eye on those crude oil benchmarks as we head toward spring.
Next Steps for Your Budget:
Monitor the WTI Crude Oil price index; if it breaks above $70, expect pump prices to rise within 10 to 14 days. Additionally, check your local state tax rates for 2026, as several states have implemented small "inflation adjustments" to fuel taxes this month that might be masking the national downward trend at your specific neighborhood station.