Gulf Coast (PADD 3) benchmark
Alabama Gas Prices
Regular gasoline, all formulations, including taxes · Week ending Oct 26, 2026
Regular gasoline · Oct 26, 2026
Gulf Coast (PADD 3) regional average (state benchmark) average price per gallon
$3.702 −$0.080
vs. week earlier · -2.2%
−$0.567 vs U.S. average ($4.269)
- 4 weeks ago
- $3.924
- Year ago
- $2.580
- 52-week low
- $2.370
- 52-week high
- $3.990
5-year weekly trend
USD / gallonWeekly retail average, all formulations, including taxes. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Latest available week: 2026-10-26.
All-time high
$4.630
Jun 13, 2022
All-time low (since 2000)
$1.000
Dec 24, 2001
What drivers in Alabama are paying this week
Alabama does not have a published weekly statewide average, so the reference number above is the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average of $3.702. That regional benchmark fell $0.080 week over week and is $0.567 below the national average of $4.269. Stations in Alabama typically trade within roughly 20 to 40 cents of the regional figure, depending on distance from the nearest terminal and local taxes.
Alabama usually lands near the bottom of the national price table. The state keeps its gasoline tax low, and most of its supply arrives from Gulf Coast refineries in neighboring Mississippi and Louisiana.
Why Alabama gas prices land where they do
- One of the lowest state motor fuel tax rates in the country.
- Short pipeline and truck routes from Gulf Coast refineries keep wholesale costs down.
- Rural drivers cover long distances, so small price swings matter more per fill-up.
These are structural factors, not daily noise. They explain why Alabama tends to sit in the same part of the national price range week after week, even when the national average moves. For the general mechanics behind these forces, see our guide on how gas prices are set.
How Alabama compares
Neighboring states with a published weekly average give the clearest picture of the regional spread. The table below compares Alabama against those states and the national average.
| Market | Regular price | vs Alabama | Week change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3.702 | — | −$0.080 |
| Florida | $4.017 | +$0.315 | +$0.040 |
| U.S. average | $4.269 | +$0.567 | −$0.010 |
Ways to spend less on gas in Alabama
- Membership warehouses such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s usually price 10 to 30 cents below nearby branded stations.
- Stations a few miles off the interstate are often cheaper than the first exit, because they pay less for land and rely on local traffic.
- Apps that show station-level prices are worth using for the last mile — our numbers give you the regional baseline, they give you the address.
- Keeping tires at the recommended pressure and removing roof racks can recover 3 to 6 percent of fuel economy, which is worth 10 to 20 cents a gallon at current prices.
Want a number instead of a rule of thumb? The commute cost calculator turns your own miles and MPG into a weekly and annual fuel bill, using the current Alabama price as the default.
How we source Alabama prices
Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's weekly retail gasoline survey, which reports average retail prices in dollars per gallon including taxes. We rebuild the page every week after the survey is released, so the date on the price panel always matches the data behind it. We do not estimate missing state numbers; where the EIA does not publish a statewide series, we label the regional benchmark instead. Full details are in our methodology and data sources pages.
The bottom line for Alabama drivers
At the regional benchmark of $3.702 per gallon, a 12-gallon fill-up in Alabama costs about $44.42. Over a 15,000-mile year at 28 MPG, that implies roughly $1983 in fuel, before any local station discounts.
Alabama gas price FAQ
What is the average gas price in Alabama right now?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly statewide retail average for Alabama. The closest official benchmark is the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, which was $3.702 per gallon for the week ending Oct 26, 2026. Local station prices in Alabama typically fall within roughly 20 to 40 cents of that regional figure.
Is gas cheaper in Alabama than the national average?
Alabama is compared against the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) benchmark rather than a statewide number. The region averaged $3.702 versus the national average of $4.269, so Alabama stations are best described as tracking below the national figure.
Why are gas prices low in Alabama?
One of the lowest state motor fuel tax rates in the country. Short pipeline and truck routes from Gulf Coast refineries keep wholesale costs down. Rural drivers cover long distances, so small price swings matter more per fill-up. These factors matter more than the national average in determining what local stations charge, because fuel markets are regional, not national.
Where can I find the cheapest gas in Alabama?
Station-level pricing is not part of the EIA dataset, so we do not publish a cheapest-station list. In practice, the lowest prices in Alabama are usually at membership warehouses, at high-volume stations on secondary roads rather than interstate exits, and at stations in lower-cost suburban counties. Use a station-level price app for the final address and our Alabama benchmark to judge whether the price you see is reasonable.
Will gas prices go down in Alabama?
Nobody can forecast a specific week with confidence. What can be said is mechanical: Alabama prices follow crude oil costs, regional refining capacity, seasonal fuel specifications, and local taxes. When crude falls and refineries run normally, prices usually follow within two to four weeks. When a refinery goes down or a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast, the move can reverse within days.