- In 2025, regular gasoline averaged $4.09 on the West Coast and $2.68 on the Gulf Coast, a spread of $1.42 per gallon; the U.S. average was $3.10.
- The order is persistent. Since 1992 the Gulf Coast has averaged 18 cents below the U.S. weekly price and the West Coast 38 cents above; in the week of 2026-10-12 the gap between them was $1.79.
- State gasoline taxes range from $0.08 per gallon in Alaska to $0.596 in California, a difference of $0.52 per gallon before the federal 18.4 cents.
01 Regional Price Differences
The EIA tracks gasoline prices across five Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs). In 2025 the West Coast (PADD 5) had the highest average regular price and the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) the lowest, $1.42 per gallon apart. The same ordering held in 2024, when the spread was $1.30.
EIA, Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices, Regular All Formulations by region (pswrgvwall.xls, Data 3), annual averages of weekly prices| Region (PADD) | 2025 Avg Regular | Difference vs U.S. (2025) | 2024 Avg Regular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast (PADD 3) | $2.68 | −$0.42 | $2.89 |
| Midwest (PADD 2) | $2.94 | −$0.15 | $3.16 |
| East Coast (PADD 1) | $2.98 | −$0.12 | $3.23 |
| Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) | $3.02 | −$0.08 | $3.17 |
| West Coast (PADD 5) | $4.09 | +$1.00 | $4.18 |
| U.S. average | $3.10 | n/a | $3.30 |
That U.S. average reflects one point in a much longer story: see how the national average has moved year by year in gas prices over time.
02 State Tax Variation
State gasoline excise taxes range from $0.08 per gallon in Alaska to $0.596 in California. Adding the federal excise tax of $0.184 per gallon, the combined tax ranges from $0.264 to $0.780, a difference of $0.52.
FHWA, Highway Statistics Table MF-121T (state motor-fuel tax rates, 2024 reporting period); FHWA Highway Taxes and Fees (federal rate)| State | State Gas Tax | Total w/ Federal | Rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $0.596 | $0.780 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.576 | $0.760 | 2 |
| Washington | $0.494 | $0.678 | 3 |
| Texas | $0.200 | $0.384 | 43 |
| Mississippi | $0.184 | $0.368 | 46 |
| Alaska | $0.080 | $0.264 | 50 |
For a driver using 500 gallons per year, the difference between California's total tax ($0.780 per gallon) and Alaska's ($0.264) is about $258 per year in taxes alone.
Calculated: (0.780 − 0.264) × 500 = $258. FHWA state tax data; 500 gallons is an illustrative annual amount.Estimate your vehicle's driving cost using official EPA fuel economy data.
Use the Calculator03 How Persistent the Gaps Are
Using the EIA weekly series from May 1992, the West Coast has averaged 38 cents per gallon above the U.S. price and the Gulf Coast 18 cents below it. In the week of 2026-10-12 regular averaged $5.64 on the West Coast and $3.85 on the Gulf Coast, a $1.79 difference.
Calculated from the EIA weekly regional retail gasoline price series, May 1992 to 2026-10-12: mean of (region price − U.S. price) over all weeks| Region (PADD) | Avg Gap vs U.S. Since 1992 | Std Dev of Weekly Change | Largest Weekly Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast (PADD 3) | −18¢ | 5.7¢ | 51¢ |
| Midwest (PADD 2) | −7¢ | 7.0¢ | 52¢ |
| East Coast (PADD 1) | −4¢ | 5.3¢ | 61¢ |
| Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) | +1¢ | 5.4¢ | 50¢ |
| West Coast (PADD 5) | +38¢ | 6.1¢ | 53¢ |
The sustained gap in price levels is the consistent regional pattern: week-to-week volatility is similar across regions. The data in this folder gives prices and taxes but not a cost breakdown, so this article does not attribute the gaps to specific causes such as refining capacity, fuel blends or distribution.
04 Data Sources
- EIA: Weekly Retail Gasoline Prices, Regular All Formulations, by PADD region. eia.gov
- FHWA: Highway Statistics Table MF-121T, State Motor-Fuel Tax Rates, 2024 reporting period; Highway Taxes and Fees (federal rate). fhwa.dot.gov