Many Americans can save money on gas because the price keeps going down across the country. You might not think the price is low, though, especially if you live in a state where prices are very high and your credit card charges are higher because of it.
Some states didn’t seem to notice that the price of normal unleaded gasoline dropped to $3.472 per gallon on August 5, 2024. If you still want to drive, these 5 states have the most expensive gas prices.
5 U.S. States with the highest gas prices, so you’ll need more money
- In Hawaii, the average cost per gallon is $4.667, which is 26% above the national average.
- California drivers pay an average of $4.632 per gallon, 25% higher than the national average.
- Washington’s average gasoline cost is $4.237 per gallon, 18% above the national average.
- Illinois has an average cost per gallon of $3.968, 12% above the national average.
- In Nevada, the average cost per gallon is $3.961, also 12% higher than the national average.
It is important to know that gas costs are not set at random because the amount of gas you use affects your personal finances. These are the four main things that the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says affect how much you pay at the gas station:
- The price of crude oil: The cost of crude oil is the most significant factor influencing gas prices. When U.S. oil production rises, gasoline prices decrease. Conversely, when production slows, prices at the pump tend to increase.
Several important things affect how much gas costs when you pull up to the pump. Let’s look at the main factors that affect the price of fuel to figure out what’s causing these prices.
2. Taxes
Sales taxes from the federal, state, and local governments are a big part of what oil costs at the pump. These taxes can be very different in different states and cities. People who live in places with high gas taxes have to pay more every time they fill up their tank.
3. Refining Costs
Another thing that can change the price of gasoline is the cost of processing crude oil, which can change with the seasons. Also, the final price can be changed by the additives that are mixed into fuel. The costs of making crude oil into gasoline are always changing, which is why gas prices can change every day or even every hour.
4. Distribution and Marketing
Gasoline stores want to make money, and their pricing tactics show this. Gas costs tend to go up during busy times, like the summer or the holidays, when a lot of people are traveling. Gas stations in remote places with little competition may also be able to charge more per gallon. On the other hand, stations in places with a lot of other options might need to lower their prices to get people to come in.
When you know about these things, you can better understand why gas costs are the way they are and how they might change in the future.
There is an app for that these days, and it can help you with anything from managing your debt to keeping track of your monthly spending. Luckily, there are also a lot of apps that are made to help you save money on gas. We’ve listed some of the best ways to deal with high gas prices below.
Top Apps to Save Money on Gasoline
Gas Guru
With information from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), Gas Guru can help you find the cheapest gas in your area. Price, your favorite fuel grade, and how far you want to go can all be used to narrow down the findings. This makes it very easy to save money without having to do anything extra.
Fuelio
Fuelio does a lot more than just find the best gas. This app does many things: it keeps track of your gas stops, gives you a thorough log of your miles driven, and helps you keep track of all your car-related costs, like tolls, parking fees, and even trips to the mechanic. It’s an all-in-one tool that helps you keep track of your car costs.
These apps make it easy to keep track of constantly changing gas prices and get the best deal possible. Get one right now and start saving money on your next fill-up!
You’ve paid too much at the pump, right? There are apps that can help you find the cheapest gas in your area, which is great. You can use GasBuddy or the AAA TripTik Travel Planner, which are two of the most popular choices.
GasBuddy: Simplifying Your Search for Cheap Gas
GasBuddy is one of the most well-known gas apps. Enter your ZIP code, and it will show you right away how much gas costs at places near you. The app is very easy to use because it is very simple.
AAA Trip Tik Travel Planner: More Than Just a Gas Finder
Another great tool is the AAA TripTik Travel Planner app. You can get to it even if you’re not a AAA member. The gas stores and prices in your area can be found on this app. It can also help you plan a road trip. It’s easy to find the best gas no matter where you are in the U.S. because it lists over 85,000 gas stations.
Leverage Technology to Save Money
Even though you might not be able to change how much gas costs, using technology can help you save money. GasBuddy and AAA TripTik Travel Planner are two apps that can help you save a lot of money.