Texas Gas Prices Today
Regular gasoline in Texas averages $3.78 per gallon as of the EIA week of 2026-10-12 — $0.55 below the national average of $4.33. Texas sits inside the Gulf Coast refining hub with among the lowest state fuel taxes in the country, so pump prices are usually well below the national average. Its main vulnerability is weather: a hurricane that shuts Gulf Coast refineries can lift prices across the whole country, not just locally.
Texas vs Region vs US (EIA week of 2026-10-12)
| Area | Regular ($/gal) | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 3.78 | — |
| Gulf Coast (region) | 3.85 | +0.07 |
| US average | 4.33 | +0.55 |
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 Texas
| Factor | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State fuel taxes & fees | ≈20¢/gal on top of the 18.4¢ federal excise (≈38.4¢ combined) — Unchanged since 1991 | Approximate, see gas tax by state |
| Refining base | The Gulf Coast (PADD 3) holds the largest concentration of US refining capacity, much of it in Texas | EIA refinery capacity data |
| Required blend | Mostly conventional gasoline; reformulated blends are required only in some metro areas | EPA fuel program maps |
| Crude supply | Permian and Eagle Ford production is close by, keeping crude logistics costs low | EIA drilling productivity data |
| Main risk | Hurricane season outages and refinery turnarounds along the Gulf Coast | EIA/NOAA |
Taxes are one of four components of the pump price — see the full breakdown of crude, refining, distribution and tax.
Why Texas Prices Move Differently
Short supply chain
- Texas fuel is refined close to where it is produced and consumed, so distribution costs are small compared with states that import product.
- The state tax has been unchanged for decades, so the tax share of the pump price shrinks in real terms as other costs rise.
- Ample local supply means Texas rarely sees the isolated-market spikes that hit the West Coast or Rocky Mountains.
What to watch
- Atlantic hurricane season — a storm that closes Houston or Port Arthur refineries tightens supply nationally.
- Spring and autumn refinery turnarounds along the Gulf Coast.
- Because Gulf Coast refineries also supply the East Coast via pipeline, a Texas outage shows up in New York and Florida too.
- Track the refining margin directly on the crack spread page.
Texas Gas Price FAQ
What is the average gas price in Texas right now?
Regular gasoline in Texas averages $3.78 per gallon (EIA, week of 2026-10-12) — $0.55 below the US average of $4.33.
Why are Texas gas prices lower than the national average?
Texas sits inside the Gulf Coast refining hub with among the lowest state fuel taxes in the country, so pump prices are usually well below the national average. Its main vulnerability is weather: a hurricane that shuts Gulf Coast refineries can lift prices across the whole country, not just locally.
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 cheaper in Texas?
Low taxes and short logistics. Texas levies one of the lowest state fuel taxes in the country, and it is unchanged since the early 1990s. The state also sits inside the largest US refining region with nearby crude production, so the crude and distribution costs built into a gallon are lower than in states that import finished gasoline from far away.
Does a hurricane in Texas raise gas prices everywhere?
Often yes. Gulf Coast refineries supply much of the East Coast through long-haul pipelines, so a storm that forces Texas refineries to shut cuts supply well beyond the state. Prices frequently rise faster in the receiving markets than in Texas itself, because Texas still has local inventory while distant markets wait on pipeline resupply.