The US State With The Highest Gas Prices Is No Longer California

California's gas prices tend to be higher than anywhere else in the United States. This is due to a mix of factors including state taxes, environmental regulations, requirements that fuel be of a special blend to improve air quality, and California's geographic reliance on gas sources west of the Rocky Mountains. Plus, it doesn't help that the cost of living is so high in the Golden State that California's minimum wage in set to increase in 2026 to $16.90 an hour.

However, despite being the reigning champions of expensive gas for years, it all changed on Monday, September 15, 2025 when the state of Washington edged out California for the title of most expensive gas in the United States. On that day, a gallon of gas in Washington cost an average of $4.658 a gallon compared to $4.653 a gallon in California. As of September 16, Washington still holds the title, with gas averaging $4.662 a gallon vs. $4.652 a gallon in California, per the AAA Fuel Prices interactive map. In comparison, the national average price per gallon on September 16 was $3.186.

Washington charges the third highest gas tax in the U.S., after California and Illinois. However, the recent jump in gas prices is not only affecting Washington, or California for that matter — but also Oregon, Nevada and Arizona. Price will likely remain high in the near future due to the seasonal maintenance of refineries on the West Coast, combined with the closure of several refineries in California. That said, costs could begin coming back down by late September as more gas stations make the seasonal transition to winter-blend gasoline. 

A September 2025 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects lower overall gas prices across the nation through the end of 2025, due in large part to decreasing demand. Although the report did note that the western U.S. was the single exception to regional average gas prices going under $3 a gallon. Ultimately, until the conditions that control the price of gas tip fuel prices lower for the western U.S., Washington residents who drive a lot may want to examine some tricks that can save them money when buying gas.