February Fuel Update: Prices Inch Higher for Third Week in a Row

The final February fuel update reveals prices continuing to inch higher for the third week in a row.

Faith Howell・Associate Editor

Read Faith's Posts

February 25, 2026

A chart with EIA data shows an increase in U.S gas prices. Next to it, a chart breaks down the prices by region. — With continued tensions in Iran, gas prices have risen for the third straight week.
Credit: EIA/Automotive Fleet

6 min to read

U.S Regional Gasoline Prices as of February 23, 2026

Fuel prices have risen once again for the third week in a row.

According to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country, the national average for fuel has risen by 1.2 cents over the last week to $2.88 per gallon, up 4 cents from last week.

This is up 2.8 cents from a month ago and 19.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

“Average gasoline prices continue to drift higher as crude oil trades near its highest level since last summer, driven by mounting geopolitical risk premiums tied to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While there has been no direct disruption to energy infrastructure, markets are increasingly pricing in the possibility of a broader exchange that could threaten supply flows. Beyond geopolitics, we’re also seeing localized supply constraints, including refinery outages and disruptions along the Olympic Pipeline, which have amplified price pressures in the Pacific Northwest. These developments are unlikely to be isolated, as planned refinery maintenance is set to intensify in the weeks ahead. As seasonal supply tightens, the national average is increasingly likely to retest the $3-per-gallon threshold.”

Here’s a look at prices by region according to EIA data, as of January February 23:

East Coast: $2.83
Midwest: $2.68
Gulf Coast: $2.53
Rocky Mountain: $2.66
West Coast: $4.11

The Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions saw a decrease in prices this week.

Here are the top 10 cheapest states to buy gas, according to AAA data:

Rank	State	Regular
1	Oklahoma	$2.37
2	Arkansas	$2.50
3	Kansas	$2.50
4	Mississippi	$2.50
5	Louisiana	$2.52
6	Wisconsin	$2.53
7	Missouri	$2.54
8	Iowa	$2.55
9	Tennessee	$2.55
10	Kentucky	$2.58

U.S Regional Gasoline Prices as of February 16, 2026

This is up 4.9 cents from a month ago and 24.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

“The national average price of gasoline continues to grind higher, and while the pace of increases remains modest for now, upward momentum could accelerate in the coming weeks as refinery maintenance intensifies and the broader transition to summer gasoline begins,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “However, supply-side dynamics could temper that seasonal pressure. If OPEC+ proceeds with resuming production increases following its first-quarter pause, additional barrels could cap crude oil’s upside and limit the magnitude of the spring rally at the pump. That said, geopolitical tensions—particularly between the U.S. and Iran—remain an unpredictable variable, injecting risk into the outlook and leaving prices vulnerable to sudden shifts.”

Here’s a look at prices by region according to EIA data, as of January February 16:

East Coast: $2.83
Midwest: $2.68
Gulf Coast: $2.48
Rocky Mountain: $2.74
West Coast: $4.04

All regions saw price increases this week, except the Midwest, whose average remained the same.

Here are the top 10 cheapest states to buy gas, according to AAA data:

Rank	State	Regular
1	Oklahoma	$2.29
2	Arkansas	$2.45
3	Arkansas	$2.46
4	Kansas	$2.47
5	Louisiana	$2.51
6	Missouri	$2.52
7	North Dakota	$2.54
8	Texas	$2.55
9	Wisconsin	$2.55
10	Minnesota	$2.57

U.S Regional Gasoline Prices as of February 9, 2026

This is up 5.4 cents from a month ago and 24.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

“The national average price of gasoline only edged slightly higher last week, but nine of the ten largest weekly price movements were increases, led by West Coast states as California begins the transition to summer gasoline,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Most states saw relatively minor fluctuations, but we’re now starting to see seasonal trends take hold on the West Coast, with those pressures expected to gradually push eastward in the weeks ahead. Even though oil prices slipped slightly last week amid reduced geopolitical risk, strengthening seasonal factors are likely to intensify, potentially driving the national average back above the $3-per-gallon mark, where prices could remain for at least part of the spring.”

Here’s a look at prices by region according to EIA data, as of January February 9:

East Coast: $2.82
Midwest: $2.69
Gulf Coast: $2.48
Rocky Mountain: $2.67
West Coast: $3.94

All regions saw price increases this week, except the East Coast, which held steady.

Here are the top 10 cheapest states to buy gas, according to AAA data:

Rank	State	Regular
1	Oklahoma	$2.34
2	Arkansas	$2.46
3	Mississippi	$2.47
4	Kansas	$2.48
5	Louisiana	$2.50
6	Missouri	$2.51
7	Tennessee	$2.54
8	Texas	$2.55
9	Kentucky	$2.55
10	Iowa	$2.55

U.S Regional Gasoline Prices as of February 2, 2026

According to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country, the national average for fuel has fallen by 0.9 cents over the last week to $2.83 per gallon.

This is up 3.9 cents from a month ago and 21.3 cents lower per gallon than a year ago.

“While oil prices jumped to their highest level in months amid geopolitical tensions, a weakening U.S. dollar, and supply concerns, the national average price of gasoline saw little change compared to a week ago,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Just over half of states saw gas prices decline, led by Indiana, Ohio, and other price-cycling states that had previously seen prices jump but have since started to fall. Meanwhile, prices are rising across much of the West Coast as the transition to summer gasoline begins, and attention turns to another refinery shutdown in California expected in April. Over the coming weeks, we’re likely to see more states experiencing increases than decreases.”

Here’s a look at prices by region according to EIA data, as of January February 2:

East Coast: $2.82
Midwest: $2.65
Gulf Coast: $2.46
Rocky Mountain: $2.57
West Coast: $3.83

The Midwest and Gulf Coasts saw a decrease in prices this week.

Here are the top 10 cheapest states to buy gas, according to AAA data:

Rank	State	Regular
1	Oklahoma	$2.37
2	Arkansas	$2.43
3	Mississippi	$2.45
4	Texas	$2.46
5	Louisiana	$2.47
6	Kansas	$2.47
7	Iowa	$2.50
8	Tennessee	$2.51
9	Wisconsin	$2.51
10	Alabama	$2.53

Topics:Oil gas prices Fuel Prices Fuel

More Fuel

Fuel•by Chris Brown•May 30, 2026

Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types

New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.