: Federal and state taxes remain a fixed cost that varies by region; for instance, West Coast prices are consistently higher due to stricter state regulations and fuel taxes.
The recent "rollercoaster" in prices can be attributed to three primary themes: Why Gas Prices Go Up Fast and Take So Long to Fall GAS PRICES
: The cost of transporting fuel to stations and operating local businesses. Key Market Drivers (2026) : Federal and state taxes remain a fixed
Current gas prices have experienced significant volatility over the past year, with a major spike in early 2026 followed by a sharp decline in recent weeks. While prices peaked above $4.00 per gallon in March 2026 due to Middle East tensions, the national average has since dropped to approximately $3.45 as supply routes stabilized. While prices peaked above $4