Click to enlarge.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 10 cents since last week to $3.94, according to the latest data from AAA.*
“Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump and pushing crude oil prices toward $80 per barrel. Most states are still averaging less than $4 per gallon. Earlier this year, the national average remained in the $4 range all of April and May and most of June. Last time the national average was $4 or above was on June 17 when it was $4.02,” AA said.**
The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show gasoline demand remained flat last week at 8.84 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 212.1 million barrels to 210.5 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.
National Average 16 July 2026: $3.943
- One Week Ago: $3.846
- One Month Ago: $4.044
- One Year Ago: $3.160
Strait of Hormuz and other Oil Market Undercurrents
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 26 cents to $79.60 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels from the previous week. At 409.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 42 cents.
State of the States
Gasoline: The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($5.43), California ($5.40), Washington ($4.98), Alaska ($4.67), Nevada ($4.55), Oregon ($4.51), Illinois ($4.12), Arizona ($4.12), New York ($4.10), and Michigan ($4.07).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Indiana ($3.31), Mississippi ($3.49), Louisiana ($3.53), Texas ($3.54), Oklahoma ($3.55), Tennessee ($3.55), Arkansas ($3.55), Kentucky ($3.56), Alabama ($3.58), and Missouri ($3.60).
Electricity: The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), California (46 cents), Louisiana (46 cents), Illinois (45 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Arizona (44 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (30 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Maryland (34 cents), Utah (34 cents), Nebraska (35 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Vermont (35 cents), New Mexico (37 cents), and Minnesota (37 cents).
*AutoInformed on
**About AAA
Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA says “it delivers exceptional roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to enhance the life journey of our 65+ million members across North America, including nearly 58 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com. Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Gasoline National Average Moves Higher Near $4 Gallon!
Click to enlarge.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 10 cents since last week to $3.94, according to the latest data from AAA.*
“Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump and pushing crude oil prices toward $80 per barrel. Most states are still averaging less than $4 per gallon. Earlier this year, the national average remained in the $4 range all of April and May and most of June. Last time the national average was $4 or above was on June 17 when it was $4.02,” AA said.**
The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show gasoline demand remained flat last week at 8.84 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 212.1 million barrels to 210.5 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.
National Average 16 July 2026: $3.943
Strait of Hormuz and other Oil Market Undercurrents
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 26 cents to $79.60 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels from the previous week. At 409.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 42 cents.
State of the States
Gasoline: The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($5.43), California ($5.40), Washington ($4.98), Alaska ($4.67), Nevada ($4.55), Oregon ($4.51), Illinois ($4.12), Arizona ($4.12), New York ($4.10), and Michigan ($4.07).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Indiana ($3.31), Mississippi ($3.49), Louisiana ($3.53), Texas ($3.54), Oklahoma ($3.55), Tennessee ($3.55), Arkansas ($3.55), Kentucky ($3.56), Alabama ($3.58), and Missouri ($3.60).
Electricity: The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), California (46 cents), Louisiana (46 cents), Illinois (45 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Arizona (44 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (30 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Maryland (34 cents), Utah (34 cents), Nebraska (35 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Vermont (35 cents), New Mexico (37 cents), and Minnesota (37 cents).
*AutoInformed on
**About AAA
Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA says “it delivers exceptional roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to enhance the life journey of our 65+ million members across North America, including nearly 58 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com. Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.