Cost of Driving by State

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The cost of driving by state varies depending on local gas prices and whether you drive a traditional gas-powered vehicle or an electric vehicle (EV). Gas prices and electricity rates vary by location and fluctuate often, so it’s important to check for the most recent data.

Choose Energy monitors monthly driving costs to show the average cost of gas by state and the cost to operate an EV. This May 2026 report incorporates data from AAA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and other government sources to measure average monthly gas costs by state.

Let’s start with gasoline. As of May 4, drivers in the U.S. paid an average of $4.46 per gallon for regular gasoline, according to AAA. That’s 40 cents higher than the price drivers paid on April 1, and $1.26 higher than on March 4, the last two times we updated this analysis.

Which states had the most and least expensive gasoline?

Drivers in California paid the highest gasoline prices on May 4 at $6.11 per gallon. That’s 21 cents more than what Californians paid on April 1, and 37.2% higher than the national average. Drivers in Georgia paid the least per gallon on May 4 with an average price of $3.86, which is 13.4% lower than the national average.

Regular gasoline prices in individual states change from day to day. However, as of May 4, the national average price is 9.7% higher than it was on April 1, and 39.3% higher than it was on March 4.

Following are state-by-state numbers on the average price of gasoline per gallon of the month, the percent change from April to May, and the percentage above or below the U.S. average. Find your state to compare the average cost of gas in your area with other states.

Many consumers want to know whether they could save on fuel costs by switching to an electric vehicle. The DOE offers a vehicle cost calculator, which lets you estimate how much it would cost to own, operate, and charge an EV.

The DOE vehicle cost calculator factors in the average annual fuel use, electricity use, and operating costs of available gasoline-powered vehicles and EVs to compare how much you could save. The calculator also includes energy rates by state because the cost of electricity will impact the cost of charging an EV.

For example, a 2024 Tesla Model Y Performance AWD EV costs approximately $469 to charge every year in Texas. In comparison, a 2025 Ford Explorer AWD consumes about $1,712 in gasoline annually in the same state. Based on these estimates, a resident in Texas could save around $1,243 in fuel costs each year by switching to an EV.

Of course, fuel savings from EVs are easier in states with sufficient public charging station locations. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, California has the largest number of public charging stations — 20,573. However, the number of people per public charging station may be a more accurate measurement because drivers need available stations to charge their EVs.

Vermont leads the country by this measurement, with one station for every 1,156 residents, while California has one for every 1,894 people. These figures are based on the most recent population report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Following are the total EV charging stations by state, the number of people per charging station, and the rank of each state by the number of people per charging station.