The national average price for regular gas fell on Friday, dropping 17 cents in one week to $4.22 per gallon, according to AAA.
Gas prices have declined for two consecutive weeks, amid a decrease in hostilities between the United States and Iran. Yesterday, the national average price for regular gas was $4.24 per gallon, and a week ago, it was $4.39 per gallon. Fuel costs have dropped 27 cents since May 26 and 34 cents per gallon since setting a 2026 record high on May 21, when gas cost $4.564 per gallon. Gas prices started to fall on Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the start of the summer driving season and, with it, typically an increase in pump prices.
Today’s price of $4.22 per gallon is still much higher than earlier in the year. However, it is lower than a month ago, when regular gas was $4.48 per gallon. On Jan. 12, 2026, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas dropped to $2.79, the lowest price in over five years. Prices began to increase in January and early February, primarily due to winter weather that hampered much of the country at the time. Prices began to soar as Operation Epic Fury commenced on Feb. 28.
After the surge in gas prices in early spring, a dip in prices at the pumps is a welcome sight. Relief at the pumps has also spread nationwide, with 18 states now reporting gas price averages below $4 per gallon, according to AAA. This is in stark contrast to 16 days ago, when, on May 20, every state in the nation had an average price of $4 per gallon or higher.
Gas pricing trends correlated with geopolitical news surrounding the military conflict with Iran. Rumors began circulating that a peace deal between Iran and the United States was in the works on Memorial Day weekend. Experts theorized that this speculation has contributed to the recent drop in fuel costs. It represents a stark contrast from the middle of May, when geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran continued to rise, as did gas prices. Furthermore, uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz blockade led to fuel costs rising for much of May before declining recently.
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Whether it is winter storms or military conflicts, fluctuations in gas prices have been a recurring trend in 2026. Yet despite these frequent, drastic pricing changes, one thing that remains constant about gas prices in the U.S. is that costs vary by region. The states with the lowest gas prices, with one exception, are in the South — many along the Gulf Coast. The states with the highest gas prices in the country are located in the western U.S.
Indiana remains the state with the lowest prices in the country at $3.517 per gallon. This is over 18 cents per gallon cheaper than the next state, Texas, at $3.699 per gallon. Oklahoma is next at $3.725 per gallon. This is followed by Louisiana at $3.774 per gallon. Next is South Carolina, a newcomer to the list of the most affordable states for gas, at $3.782 per gallon.
Meanwhile, California remains the state with the highest gas prices in the country, though the statewide average has dropped below the $ 6-per-gallon threshold to $5.948 per gallon. Next is Washington state at $5.65 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at a statewide average of $5.614 per gallon. Alaska is next, with an average price of $5.203 per gallon, and then Oregon at $5.146 per gallon.