In the United States, less than 1% of the nation’s 250 million active cars are electric. That means most people are driving gas-powered vehicles — and paying a hefty price tag in the process. Data from 2021 says an “eGallon” costs nearly $1.70 less than a gallon of traditional fuel.
Gas has always been a bit pricey, due in large part to the lengthy process of extracting and transforming crude oil into fuel — a process which can pose harm to our environment and health.
Recent gas prices are near the highest they’ve ever been. Learn more about the most expensive gas by state with this top eight list.
- Utah
- Arizona
- Oregon
- Washington
- Alaska
- Nevada
- Hawaii
- California
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.16 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 42.1%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Phillips 66
photo source: thespectrum.com
Kicking off this list is the state of Utah.
Back in 2019, some people living in Utah were frustrated by gas prices hitting about $4 per gallon while others thought $2.50 sounded high. The discrepancy between prices depended on your location within the state — but both ends of the spectrum sound low compared to prices in April 2022. In that month, the state saw prices hit an average of $4.49 per gallon, more than a 42% increase compared to the previous year.
According to GasBuddy, some of the best gas prices available in Utah in April 2022 were around $4.21. That’s more than $0.10 higher than the national average for the same period! GasBuddy also says Phillips 66 (one of Utah’s favorite gas stations) saw prices hit nearly $4.50 at its St. George location.
Did you know?
Diesel typically costs more than regular gas — in Utah, one location was charging more than $5 per gallon in April 2022.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.07 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 49.1%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Chevron
photo source: 12news.com
Up next is Arizona — home of cactuses and rattlesnakes. The warm state often breaks records when it comes to temperatures, but its new claim to fame might be gas prices. In April 2022, the state saw record costs of more than $4.50 per gallon, that’s over $0.50 higher than the national average during the same month!
Altogether, Arizona’s average gas price rose by more than 49% between April 2021 and 2022.
Amazingly, reports from 2019 show the state was worried about gas prices topping $3 per gallon. “Phoenix area gas stations hit a dubious mark…as regular fuel averaged $3 a gallon, with experts predicting further increases,” said one report, “‘Arizona just really hasn’t been able to catch a break as of late with gas prices.’”
Chevron, one of Arizona’s favorite gas stations, saw prices surpass $4.50 in April 2022, with regular priced at $4.69 and premium hitting a whopping $5.19 per gallon. Speedways in Arizona were similarly expensive, with one location in Mesa hitting a steep $4.97 for diesel.
Did you know?
Back in 2019, a spokesperson for AAA told a reporter that Arizona was “in the middle of a perfect storm” creating painful gas price increases.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.20 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 44.8%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Sinclair
photo source: gasnearmestation.com
Oregon has a population of more than 4.3 million people. Many areas within the state have consistently higher costs of living than the national average, with Portland costing about 17.7% more than the rest of the U.S. In April 2022, the state’s gas prices followed suit and soared to $4.64 per gallon — about $0.60 higher than the national average during the same period.
According to data from U.S. News & World Report, the price of gas in Oregon rose by more than 44% between April 2021 and 2022. That’s more than 2% higher than the nation’s average increase.
Sinclair, a popular gas station chain in Oregon, saw top-end prices surpass $5 at its Hood River location. Cheaper options at the same location came in at over $4 per gallon.
Did you know?
Beyond gas prices, Oregon has some notable food prices. A gallon of milk in Portland costs nearly $3.30 while a loaf of bread costs $2.88. For comparison, the average price for a gallon of milk across the nation is around $4 while bread costs about $2.50 on average.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.34 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 39.3%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Mobil
photo source: komonews.com
In July 2021, Washington began experiencing some crazy-high gas prices. Reports said the state would experience the highest prices in seven years at about $3.83.
In retrospect, $3.83 per gallon sounds like a steal.
In April 2022, Washington saw prices hit a record $4.65 per gallon — that’s nearly a 40% increase compared to the previous year.
Mobil, a popular gas station chain in the state, saw prices surpass $5 at its Pacific Way location in April 2022. Similarly, a Speedway location in Burien charged over $5 for diesel.
Back in early 2010, average gas prices in Seattle were around $2.85 per gallon before climbing past $4 in 2012 as America’s economic condition remained shaky following the Great Recession.
Did you know?
In May 2020, Seattle’s average gas price was around $2.55 per gallon.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.14 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 48.7%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Tesoro
photo source: visitvaldez.com
Alaska ranks as the fourth-most expensive state on this list — with an average price per gallon of $4.67. The Last Frontier saw prices of about $3.14 in April 2021, 48.7% lower than 2022 prices.
One of Alaska’s most highly rated gas stations is Tesoro. In Valdez, a small city of fewer than 4,000 people, Tesoro is one of only two available gas stations. The full name of this location is Captain Joe’s Tesoro.
Did you know?
The city of Valdez had a population of just 500 in the year 1940. That number had doubled by 1970 before the city reached just over 3,000 citizens in the ‘80s.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.37 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 50.6%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Maverik
photo source: mcindependentnews.com
Nevada has experienced one of the biggest increases in gas prices in the U.S. Around April 2021, prices stood at about $3.37 per gallon. A year later, the cost jumped by more than 50% to over $5 per gallon. One report said a particular gas station on West Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas saw prices jump by $0.25 per gallon in less than 24 hours!
Did you know?
According to experts, Russia’s deadly invasion of Ukraine has had a big impact on oil and gas prices in the United States — driving up costs at the pump.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.75 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 39.9%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Aloha
photo source: alohagas.com
Coming in at number two is the state of Hawaii. The sunny islands are often pricey places to live, partially because importing goods way out to the middle of the ocean is a difficult process.
In April 2022, Hawaii recorded sky-high gas prices of $5.24 per gallon. Just a year prior, the state had an average price of $3.75 per gallon — nearly a dollar and a half cheaper.
Did you know?
Aloha, a highly rated gas station chain in Hawaii, reported prices of about $4.99 at one of its locations in April 2022. In contrast, Shell locations in the state reported prices of about $5.26.
Reported Price One Year Prior: $3.94 per gallon
Price Percentage Increase: 45.3%
Top-Rated Gas Station in State: Rotten Robbie
photo source: wsj.com
California has the most expensive gas in the United States.
In April 2022, the state of California recorded record gas prices of more than $5.70 per gallon — some gas stations even charged upwards of $7 per gallon.
Rotten Robbie, a highly rated gas station in the state, charged nearly $5.90 in April, outpacing the Golden State’s average.
This isn’t the first time California has seen gas prices above $4 per gallon. In 2008, the state average hit around $4.50.
Did you know?
At the beginning of 2002, a gallon of gas cost just over $1.23 in California.
