Minnesota Gas Prices Today
Regular gasoline in Minnesota averages $4.18 per gallon as of the EIA week of 2026-10-12 — $0.15 below the national average of $4.33. Minnesota is unusually well supplied for a northern state: it has significant in-state refining fed by Canadian crude arriving on pipelines from Alberta, and it sits in the corn belt where ethanol for blending is made locally. That usually keeps it near or below the national average, with Midwest-style volatility when a refinery has problems.
Minnesota vs Region vs US (EIA week of 2026-10-12)
| Area | Regular ($/gal) | vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 4.18 | — |
| Midwest (region) | 4.15 | -0.04 |
| US average | 4.33 | +0.15 |
EIA weekly retail averages. Compare all published states, see gas prices by year, or read what actually sets pump prices.
All EIA-Published States This Week
| State | Regular ($/gal) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| California | 6.10 | +1.77 |
| Washington | 5.38 | +1.05 |
| New York | 4.35 | +0.02 |
| Massachusetts | 4.26 | -0.07 |
| Minnesota | 4.18 | -0.15 |
| Colorado | 4.18 | -0.16 |
| Florida | 3.98 | -0.35 |
| Ohio | 3.87 | -0.46 |
| Texas | 3.78 | -0.55 |
EIA publishes weekly prices for these states; it does not survey all 50 individually.
What Sets the Price in Minnesota
| Factor | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Market region | PADD 2, the Midwest | EIA PADD definitions |
| Refining | In-state refining capacity serving the Twin Cities and upper Midwest | EIA refinery capacity data |
| Crude supply | Heavy Canadian crude delivered by pipeline from Alberta | EIA crude imports data |
| Ethanol | Corn-belt ethanol production is local, shortening the blending supply chain | EIA ethanol data |
Taxes are one of four components of the pump price — see the full breakdown of crude, refining, distribution and tax.
Why Minnesota Prices Move Differently
Canadian crude, local ethanol
- Refineries in the upper Midwest run heavy Canadian crude, which often trades at a discount to WTI and can improve local refining economics.
- Ethanol blended into every gallon is produced nearby rather than shipped across the country.
- Both factors tend to hold Minnesota at or below the US average outside of outage periods.
What to watch
- Refinery outages and turnarounds in Minnesota and the surrounding Midwest.
- The Canadian crude discount to WTI, which feeds regional refining margins.
- Winter blend and extreme cold, which affect both fuel specification and demand.
- The Midwest line in the PADD region table, and Canadian oil supply.
Minnesota Gas Price FAQ
What is the average gas price in Minnesota right now?
Regular gasoline in Minnesota averages $4.18 per gallon (EIA, week of 2026-10-12) — $0.15 below the US average of $4.33.
Why are Minnesota gas prices lower than the national average?
Minnesota is unusually well supplied for a northern state: it has significant in-state refining fed by Canadian crude arriving on pipelines from Alberta, and it sits in the corn belt where ethanol for blending is made locally. That usually keeps it near or below the national average, with Midwest-style volatility when a refinery has problems.
How often are these prices updated?
The EIA publishes state and regional retail prices every Monday; this page refreshes automatically when new data lands. EIA covers selected large states weekly — for daily crowd-sourced prices per county or station, AAA and GasBuddy complement this official weekly view.
Why is gas often cheaper in Minnesota than on the coasts?
Supply is close by. Minnesota has in-state refining fed by pipeline crude from Canada, and the ethanol blended into gasoline is produced in the surrounding corn belt. That means less long-distance freight than coastal states that import finished gasoline, and state taxes are moderate rather than high.
Does Canadian oil affect Minnesota gas prices?
Yes, more than in most states. Upper Midwest refineries are configured to run heavy Canadian crude arriving by pipeline from Alberta. When that crude trades at a wide discount to WTI, regional refining economics improve and pump prices tend to sit below the national average; when pipeline capacity is constrained or the discount narrows, some of that advantage disappears.