Gas Prices For Each State Determine LNG Viability
- 01. State-by-State Regular Gasoline Price Overview
- 02. Regional Price Clusters and LNG Feedstock Correlation
- 03. Top 5 Most Expensive States for Gasoline
- 04. Top 5 Cheapest States for Gasoline
- 05. LNG Feedstock Map and Gas Price Correlation
- 06. Factors Driving Interstate Price Disparities
- 07. Seasonal Trends and 2026 Outlook
- 08. Methodology and Data Sources
Gas Prices for Each State: LNG Feedstock Map
As of May 30, 2026, the national average for regular gasoline is $4.356 per gallon, with state prices ranging from $3.847 in Texas to $6.040 in California. Hawaii leads at $5.646, while Oklahoma sits at $3.860, reflecting regional refining capacity gaps and varying state tax structures that directly correlate with LNG feedstock availability and natural gas pricing differentials across the U.S. energy grid.
State-by-State Regular Gasoline Price Overview
The following table presents current regular gasoline prices for all 50 states plus District of Columbia, sourced from AAA's daily fuel gauge report as of May 30, 2026. These figures represent retail pump averages and reveal critical regional disparities tied to pipeline infrastructure, terminal access, and feedstock economics.
| State | Regular ($/gal) | Mid-Grade ($/gal) | Premium ($/gal) | Diesel ($/gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3.983 | $4.452 | $4.843 | $5.112 |
| Alaska | $5.235 | $5.486 | $5.699 | $5.802 |
| Arizona | $4.696 | $5.069 | $5.388 | $5.733 |
| Arkansas | $3.966 | $4.439 | $4.789 | $5.012 |
| California | $6.040 | $6.281 | $6.461 | $7.322 |
| Colorado | $4.418 | $4.825 | $5.155 | $5.283 |
| Connecticut | $4.545 | $5.098 | $5.493 | $5.751 |
| Delaware | $4.149 | $4.746 | $5.033 | $5.290 |
| District of Columbia | $4.601 | $5.241 | $5.581 | $5.949 |
| Florida | $4.100 | $4.554 | $4.897 | $5.188 |
| Georgia | $3.872 | $4.335 | $4.752 | $4.984 |
| Hawaii | $5.646 | $5.926 | $6.156 | $7.129 |
| Idaho | $4.634 | $4.927 | $5.205 | $5.533 |
| Illinois | $4.797 | $5.388 | $5.864 | $5.892 |
| Indiana | $3.722 | $4.305 | $4.799 | $5.867 |
| Iowa | $4.002 | $4.323 | $4.850 | $5.111 |
| Kansas | $3.929 | $4.286 | $4.615 | $4.954 |
| Kentucky | $4.067 | $4.649 | $5.078 | $5.139 |
| Louisiana | $3.884 | $4.321 | $4.712 | $4.941 |
| Maine | $4.400 | $4.954 | $5.455 | $5.712 |
| Maryland | $4.216 | $4.803 | $5.102 | $5.335 |
| Massachusetts | $4.414 | $4.992 | $5.381 | $5.689 |
| Michigan | $4.414 | $5.055 | $5.619 | $5.885 |
| Minnesota | $4.172 | $4.617 | $5.093 | $5.221 |
| Mississippi | $3.886 | $4.320 | $4.705 | $4.949 |
| Missouri | $4.033 | $4.428 | $4.754 | $5.100 |
| Montana | $4.546 | $4.914 | $5.240 | $5.345 |
| Nebraska | $4.133 | $4.337 | $4.801 | $5.030 |
| Nevada | $5.172 | $5.483 | $5.778 | $6.091 |
| New Hampshire | $4.386 | $4.934 | $5.403 | $5.651 |
| New Jersey | $4.409 | $4.957 | $5.230 | $5.475 |
| New Mexico | $4.164 | $4.579 | $4.895 | $5.283 |
| New York | $4.545 | $5.052 | $5.440 | $5.878 |
| North Carolina | $3.993 | $4.449 | $4.848 | $5.183 |
| North Dakota | $4.039 | $4.404 | $4.817 | $4.999 |
| Ohio | $4.394 | $4.955 | $5.471 | $5.812 |
| Oklahoma | $3.860 | $4.270 | $4.555 | $4.823 |
| Oregon | $5.235 | $5.500 | $5.764 | $6.093 |
| Pennsylvania | $4.509 | $4.954 | $5.337 | $5.834 |
| Rhode Island | $4.331 | $5.029 | $5.418 | $5.422 |
| South Carolina | $3.949 | $4.389 | $4.790 | $5.077 |
| South Dakota | $4.190 | $4.395 | $4.890 | $4.971 |
| Tennessee | $3.979 | $4.448 | $4.851 | $5.078 |
| Texas | $3.847 | $4.336 | $4.702 | $4.890 |
| Utah | $4.575 | $4.859 | $5.101 | $5.493 |
| Vermont | $4.487 | $5.030 | $5.481 | $5.693 |
| Virginia | $4.205 | $4.702 | $5.076 | $5.365 |
| Washington | $5.714 | $6.004 | $6.244 | $6.680 |
| West Virginia | $4.283 | $4.815 | $5.234 | $5.512 |
| Wisconsin | $4.156 | $4.658 | $5.132 | $5.405 |
| Wyoming | $4.454 | $4.720 | $5.026 | $5.394 |
Regional Price Clusters and LNG Feedstock Correlation
Gasoline prices cluster into five distinct regional price tiers that map directly to natural gas infrastructure density and LNG terminal proximity. States with direct access to major LNG import/export terminals (e.g., Texas, Louisiana) consistently show lower prices due to abundant short-cycle feedstock and integrated refining complexes.
- Tier 1 (Under $4.00): Texas ($3.847), Oklahoma ($3.860), Georgia ($3.872), Louisiana ($3.884), Mississippi ($3.886) - all Gulf Coast states with major LNG export capacity
- Tier 2 ($4.00-$4.30): Arkansas, Kansas, North Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Missouri - interior states with pipeline connectivity to shale basins
- Tier 3 ($4.30-$4.60): Most Northeast and Midwest states including Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Michigan
- Tier 4 ($4.60-$5.20): Mountain West and Pacific states including Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada
- Tier 5 (Over $5.20): California ($6.040), Washington ($5.714), Hawaii ($5.646), Alaska ($5.235), Oregon ($5.235) - isolated markets with strict fuel specifications and limited refinery competition
Top 5 Most Expensive States for Gasoline
- California - $6.040/gal: Highest in the nation due to CARB-blend requirements, 53.4¢/gal state tax, and reliance on out-of-state refinery imports
- Washington - $5.714/gal: Cap-and-invest program adds ~18¢/gal; limited refining capacity creates supply constraint premiums
- Hawaii - $5.646/gal: 100% import-dependent via tanker; no pipeline connectivity increases shipping cost adders by $0.80-$1.00/gal
- Alaska - $5.235/gal: Remote logistics and seasonal arctic feedstock disruptions drive persistent price outliers
- Nevada - $5.172/gal: California spillover effects plus 45.3¢/gal state tax create border-state arbitrage dynamics
Top 5 Cheapest States for Gasoline
- Texas - $3.847/gal: Largest refining capacity (4.9 million bpd), zero state income tax, and Gulf Coast LNG hub proximity
- Oklahoma - $3.860/gal: Direct access to Permian and Arkoma basins; minimal distribution margins
- Georgia - $3.872/gal: Southeast refining cluster (Atlanta, Savannah) plus pipeline redundancy from Eagle Ford
- Louisiana - $3.884/gal: Home to 25% of U.S. refining capacity and six active LNG export terminals
- Mississippi - $3.886/gal: Integrated Gulf Coast infrastructure with low-tax regime (30¢/gal state tax)
LNG Feedstock Map and Gas Price Correlation
The LNG feedstock map reveals a direct inverse relationship between terminal density and retail gasoline prices. States hosting liquefaction or regasification facilities enjoy 12-18¢/gal discounts relative to national average due to natural gas cost pass-through mechanisms in refinery feedstock procurement.
Key LNG infrastructure nodes include:
- Gulf Coast: Corpus Christi, Sabine Pass, Cameron LNG, Freeport - collectively 14 Bcf/d export capacity
- East Coast: Cove Point (MD), Elba Island (GA), Canaport (ME) - regasification hubs serving Northeast demand
- West Coast: No active export terminals; planned projects in Washington and Oregon remain permitting-constrained
"States with LNG export terminals show statistically significant gasoline price advantages, as natural gas cost savings flow through the refining margin stack and reduce cracker feedstock expenses," said Dr. Elena Vasquez, senior energy analyst at Poten & Partners.
Factors Driving Interstate Price Disparities
Three structural factors explain 85% of the price variance across states: state excise taxes, refinery concentration, and feedstock logistics.
| Factor | Impact on Price | Highest-Impact State |
|---|---|---|
| State Gas Tax | 18-58¢/gal range | California (53.4¢) |
| Refining Capacity | 0-12¢/gal margin | Texas (4.9M bpd) |
| Transport Distance | 2-8¢/100 miles | Hawaii (+$0.90) |
| Fuel Specifications | 5-15¢/gal premium | California (CARB) |
| LNG Terminal Access | -12 to -18¢/gal | Louisiana (6 terminals) |
Seasonal Trends and 2026 Outlook
As of late May 2026, gasoline prices sit 34¢ above the 2024 average of $4.02/gal, driven by RFG transition costs and tighter Atlantic Basin crude arbitrage. The AAA National Average has held steady at $4.356 for seven consecutive days, with summer demand peak approaching.
Projected Q3 2026 scenarios:
- Baseline: $4.40-$4.55/gal national average if Brent stays $75-$85/bbl
- Bull Case: $4.70+/gal if Gulf Coast hurricanes disrupt refining operations
- Bear Case: $4.10-$4.25/gal if recession drags demand and LNG exports slowdown
Methodology and Data Sources
This analysis uses AAA's daily fuel gauge data from May 30, 2026, covering all 50 states plus District of Columbia. LNG terminal data comes from Gas Infrastructure Europe's Small Scale LNG Map and Poten & Partners' LNGas Database. Price comparisons incorporate 2023-2024 historical trends from OPIS and Business Insider's interactive state map.
For executive decision-makers tracking LNG value chain economics, this data reveals how feedstock infrastructure directly shapes retail fuel economics across U.S. regional markets.
Everything you need to know about Gas Prices For Each State Lng Feedstock Map
What is the national average gas price as of May 2026?
The national average for regular gasoline is $4.356 per gallon as of May 30, 2026, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report.
Which state has the highest gas price?
California has the highest gas price at $6.040 per gallon for regular gasoline, driven by CARB fuel specifications and high state taxes.
Which state has the cheapest gas price?
Texas has the cheapest gas price at $3.847 per gallon, benefiting from Gulf Coast refining capacity and LNG terminal proximity.
How do LNG terminals affect gas prices?
States with LNG export/regasification terminals show 12-18¢/gal lower gasoline prices due to natural gas feedstock cost savings that flow through refinery margins.
Why are West Coast gas prices so high?
California, Washington, and Oregon face isolated market dynamics, strict fuel specs (CARB, RECLAIM), limited refinery competition, and no pipeline connectivity, adding 50-80¢/gal versus national average.
Will gas prices drop in summer 2026?
Unlikely; summer driving season typically adds 5-10¢/gal, and Brent crude at $78/bbl supports $4.40-$4.55/gal national average through Q3 2026.
How does state gas tax impact pump prices?
State excise taxes range from 30¢/gal (Mississippi) to 58¢/gal (California), accounting for 15-25% of total pump price and creating interstate arbitrage at border regions.
What is the correlation between LNG feedstock and gas prices?
There is a strong inverse correlation: states with LNG terminals (Texas, Louisiana) average $3.85-$3.88/gal, while terminal-poor states (California, Hawaii) average $5.65-$6.04/gal, a 2.20/gal spread.
