Don’t Fill Up Until You See This AAA Price Report
Gas Prices Take a Small Dip: What You Need to Know for August 2026
The Big Picture: Good News at the Pump
Washington, DC (August 6, 2026) — Filling up your tank just got a tiny bit cheaper. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped 3 cents this past week to $4.06.
Important Point: While prices are down slightly this week, they are still significantly higher than a year ago (when the average was $3.17).
Why Are Prices Moving?
1. Crude Oil Got Cheaper
Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline. This week, oil prices fell into the $70 per barrel range. One big reason? Traders are optimistic that the Strait of Hormuz (a critical shipping lane for oil in the Middle East) will return to normal operations soon.
2. It’s That Time of Year
Gas prices usually go down in late summer/early fall. Why?
- Schools and universities start back up → fewer family road trips.
- Summer vacation season winds down → less demand for fuel.
3. The Numbers Behind the Scenes (EIA Data)
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) tracks the nitty-gritty. Here’s what happened last week:
| Metric | Previous Week | Latest Week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Demand | 9.04 million barrels/day | 9.03 million barrels/day | Slight Decrease |
| Gasoline Supply | 211.3 million barrels | 209.7 million barrels | Decrease |
| Gasoline Production | — | 9.6 million barrels/day (avg) | Decreased |
| Crude Oil Inventories | — | 407 million barrels | +2.5 million barrels |
Important Point: Even though crude oil inventories increased this week, they are still about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. That means supply is still relatively tight historically.
4. Oil Market Close (Wednesday)
- WTI Crude (U.S. benchmark): Fell 55 cents to settle at $75.22 per barrel.
How Does Your State Compare?
Top 10 Most Expensive Gas Markets
Pain at the pump is highest out West and in Hawaii.
- California — $5.62
- Hawaii — $5.45
- Washington — $5.14
- Nevada — $4.78
- Alaska — $4.77
- Oregon — $4.67
- Arizona — $4.38
- Idaho — $4.35
- Utah — $4.35
- Illinois — $4.30
Top 10 Least Expensive Gas Markets
The South and Midwest are currently the cheapest places to fill up.
- Indiana — $3.54
- South Carolina — $3.61
- Tennessee — $3.61
- Louisiana — $3.62
- Texas — $3.62
- Mississippi — $3.63
- Kentucky — $3.63
- Oklahoma — $3.64
- Arkansas — $3.68
- Alabama — $3.68
Important Point: Half of all U.S. states now have an average price below $4.00 per gallon.
What About Electric Vehicles (EVs)?
If you drive an EV, the cost to charge at a public station held steady this week.
- National Average: 42 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Top 10 Most Expensive States to Charge (per kWh)
- West Virginia — 52¢
- Hawaii — 51¢
- Alaska — 50¢
- California — 47¢
- New Hampshire — 47¢
- Louisiana — 46¢
- New Jersey — 45¢
- Illinois — 45¢
- Arkansas — 45¢
- North Dakota — 44¢
Top 10 Least Expensive States to Charge (per kWh)
- Kansas — 31¢
- Missouri — 32¢
- Iowa — 33¢
- Utah — 34¢
- Maryland — 34¢
- South Dakota — 35¢
- Nebraska — 35¢
- Vermont — 36¢
- New Mexico — 37¢
- Minnesota — 38¢
Tool for Your Next Trip
Don’t guess—check before you go!
You can find real-time gas prices and EV charging costs along your specific route using the free AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
Price Scoreboard: How We Got Here
| Time Period | National Average Price | Change vs. Today |
|---|---|---|
| Today (Aug 6, 2026) | $4.063 | — |
| One Week Ago | $4.098 | -3.5¢ |
| One Month Ago | $3.796 | +26.7¢ |
| One Year Ago | $3.170 | +89.3¢ |
Takeaway: We’re cheaper than last week, but much pricier than last month and last year.
Summary
- National gas average: $4.06 (down 3¢).
- Driver: Lower crude oil prices (~$75/barrel) + seasonal demand drop.
- Supply check: Gasoline demand/supply/production all dipped slightly; crude inventories rose but remain below 5-year average.
- Geography: West Coast/Hawaii = most expensive ($5+); South/Midwest = cheapest (~$3.50-$3.60). Half the country is under $4.00.
- EV Charging: Flat at 42¢/kWh nationally. Kansas cheapest (31¢); West Virginia priciest (52¢).
- Plan ahead: Use AAA TripTik for live prices on your route.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why did gas prices go down this week?
Two main reasons: crude oil prices dropped (due to optimism about Middle East shipping routes), and seasonal demand is falling as summer vacations end and schools reopen.
2. Is $4.06 a "good" price historically?
It depends on your timeframe. It’s better than last week, but much higher than a month ago ($3.80) and a year ago ($3.17).
3. Which states have the cheapest gas right now?
Indiana ($3.54) is the cheapest, followed by South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas (all around $3.61-$3.62).
4. How much does it cost to charge an EV on average?
The national average at a public station is 42 cents per kWh. For context, if your EV gets 3 miles per kWh, that’s about 14 cents per mile—often cheaper than gas, but varies wildly by state.
5. Where can I find the cheapest gas near me right now?
Use the AAA TripTik Travel Planner (linked above) or the AAA Mobile App. They show live prices for gas stations and EV chargers along your route or in your area.
