With slowing inflation being credited, in part, to lower gas prices, it can seem as though the price you pay at the pump has never been lower. For many states, that’s somewhat true. Gas prices in several Midwest and southern states have dropped dramatically in the past few months; while not at record lows (we still remember when gas in the Midwest was around $0.65 per gallon), gas is noticeably cheaper in February 2026.
Some states don’t have it so good. Out west, gas prices remain high, and while there are plenty of good reasons gas is typically costlier on the West Coast, this February feels almost punitive compared to some other areas of the country. Gas prices across the United States are experiencing a typical seasonal push higher. Some refineries perform routine maintenance this time of year, and the transition to summer-blend gasoline requires additional refining. The national average for a gallon of regular fuel is approximately $2.94, up slightly from January. It remains notably lower than the February 2025 average of $3.15.
Hawaii
Hawaii gets an honorable mention here because it’s expensive, but pricing isn’t anomalous. Hawaii ranks as the second most expensive state, with a current average of $4.40 for regular unleaded. The state’s pricing is primarily dictated by its geographical isolation; because Hawaii lacks a pipeline infrastructure, nearly all fuel must be shipped across the ocean, incurring high logistical costs. The market is also highly sensitive to global crude oil fluctuations, as local refining capacity is limited compared to the mainland.
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California
California consistently ranks as the most expensive state for gasoline on the mainland, and February 2026 is no exception. With state averages hovering around $4.50 per gallon, it’s largely “average” for California in February. San Francisco and Los Angeles are the most expensive regions, with a per-gallon price tag of $4.70 and $4.66, respectively.
The reasons for these prices are largely structural. California imposes the highest state gas taxes in the nation (roughly 60 cents per gallon) and requires a special low-emissions fuel blend that is costlier to refine. Recent refinery closures have also tightened supply. Still, current prices are down from last year, when San Luis Obispo saw average prices of $4.85. Compared to the national average of $2.94, Californians are paying a premium of over $1.50 per gallon. For relief, drivers are looking to independent stations in rural areas, where prices can dip as low as $3.29.
Washington
At the most northern point on the West Coast, Washington State is feeling the heat, particularly in the Seattle area. Regular gas in Seattle is currently averaging $3.93 per gallon, making it one of the priciest metro areas in the country outside of California. While high, this price per gallon is a slight reprieve from February 2025, when the average was $4.06 per gallon.
Washington’s high prices are largely a ripple effect of California’s supply chain issues. Because the West Coast relies on a somewhat isolated energy network that is heavily dependent on California refineries, disruptions or high demand in California drive up costs for its northern neighbors. Additionally, crude oil prices hovering around $60 per barrel have prevented the typical winter price drop. At nearly $4.00 per gallon, Washington drivers are paying roughly a dollar more than the national average. The “cheapest” gas is hard to find in the metro hubs, but prices tend to soften as you move east of the Cascades away from the I-5 corridor.
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Nevada
Nevada also appears on this list because of its reliance on California’s infrastructure. Las Vegas is currently seeing prices around $3.42 per gallon. While this is down from $3.92 at this time last year, it remains significantly higher than the national average.
The state’s high pricing is driven by logistics rather than local policy. Nevada lacks its own refining capacity and relies on pipelines from California. Las Vegas, with its robust highway connections to Southern California, often mirrors the pricing trends of its neighbor. While $3.42 is high compared to the sub-$3.00-per-gallon pricing in nearby states like Nebraska, it’s a noticeable drop from the $ 4.00-per-gallon average this time last year.
Disclaimer: All prices cited in this article are based on publicly available user-generated feedback. Gas stations do not provide daily reports on gas prices, and prices can change at any time. Autoblog is not responsible for the accuracy of pricing listed with user-generated reporting.
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