If you want the cheapest gas prices in America right now, drive through the Midwest and the Gulf Coast. Ohio and Indiana are the only two states where a gallon of regular gasoline still averages under $3.75 in October 2026, while drivers in California are paying $6.34, according to AAA’s latest weekly fuel prices report. Below is the verified top 10 — the states where filling up hurts the least this month.
TL;DR: Ohio ($3.71) and Indiana ($3.72) have the cheapest gas in the U.S., per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report — roughly 65 cents below the $4.36 national average. The rest of the top 10 clusters in the South and Gulf Coast, all under $4.05 a gallon. Prices change daily, so always check current local prices before a long drive.
1. Ohio — $3.71 per gallon
Ohio takes the top spot, with regular gas averaging $3.71 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report — about 65 cents below the national average. The Buckeye State also saw one of the steepest weekly declines in the country, with AAA reporting a 20-cent drop over the previous week.
2. Indiana — $3.72 per gallon
Indiana trails Ohio by a single penny at $3.72 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. Great Lakes and Midwest states benefit from nearby refineries and short distribution routes, which helps keep pump prices among the lowest in the nation.
3. Georgia — $3.84 per gallon
Georgia’s average of $3.84 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report gets a boost from the state’s temporary suspension of its gasoline tax, which runs through October 29, 2026. Even with that relief, Georgia drivers are still paying near record-high prices for October.
4. Texas — $3.87 per gallon
Texas averages $3.87 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report, helped by the Gulf Coast’s massive refining capacity — Houston posted one of the cheapest major-metro prices in the country. Low fuel costs are one reason several Texas cities rank among America’s cheapest places to live this year.
5. Mississippi — $3.94 per gallon
Mississippi averages $3.94 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. The Magnolia State is a perennial member of the cheapest-gas club, thanks to Gulf Coast supply and some of the lowest state fuel taxes in the country.
6. Louisiana — $3.94 per gallon
Louisiana ties Mississippi at $3.94 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. As home to a large share of U.S. refining capacity, the state usually lands near the bottom of the national price rankings.
7. Tennessee — $3.97 per gallon
Tennessee averages $3.97 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. If you are passing through on I-40, the cheap fill-ups are one bright spot — just check our breakdown of safety in Memphis before choosing where to stop for the night.
8. Alabama — $3.98 per gallon
Alabama averages $3.98 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. Gulf Coast geography and modest state taxes keep the Yellowhammer State comfortably in the national top 10 for affordable fuel.
9. Arkansas — $3.99 per gallon
Arkansas averages $3.99 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. The Natural State rounds out a Southern sweep of the cheapest-gas rankings, with every state below the $4 mark.
10. Missouri — $4.03 per gallon
Missouri closes the top 10 at $4.03 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. Even the tenth-cheapest state sits more than 30 cents under the national average, which shows how wide the regional price gap has become.
Methodology and sources
Every price in this ranking comes from AAA’s weekly fuel prices report published October 8, 2026, which reflects state averages for regular unleaded gasoline compiled from AAA’s daily fuel gauge survey. That report puts the national average at $4.36 a gallon. As a cross-check, the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s weekly retail gasoline survey for the week of October 5, 2026 showed a national average of $4.35, with the Gulf Coast region at $3.91 and the West Coast at $5.73, according to coverage of the EIA update. AAA’s state figures are rounded to the cent and updated daily, so exact rankings can shift from day to day.
What the numbers mean — and the caveats
The cheapest states share two advantages: proximity to Gulf Coast and Midwest refineries, and relatively low state gasoline taxes. But context matters. This is the first October on record in which AAA’s national average has been above $4 a gallon, and crude oil has climbed back above $90 a barrel. AAA also flagged Hurricane Isaias as a potential disruption to Gulf Coast production and refining. In short, “cheapest” is relative — these are still record-high autumn prices. Treat this ranking as a snapshot of October 8, 2026, not a promise about next week’s prices.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the cheapest gas in October 2026?
Ohio, at $3.71 a gallon for regular gasoline, according to AAA’s report dated October 8, 2026. Indiana is a close second at $3.72.
What is the national average gas price right now?
AAA’s October 8, 2026 report puts the national average at $4.36 a gallon for regular gasoline — the highest ever recorded for this time of year. The EIA’s survey for the week of October 5 showed $4.35.
Why is gas so much cheaper in the Midwest and South?
States near Gulf Coast and Midwest refineries pay less for transportation, and many Southern states levy lower gasoline taxes. Georgia’s temporary gas tax suspension, in effect through October 29, 2026, is an extra factor pushing its average down.
Which state has the most expensive gas?
California, at $6.34 a gallon per AAA’s October 8, 2026 report. Hawaii ($5.63), Washington ($5.46), and Nevada ($5.45) round out the most expensive markets.
How much could I save by filling up in a cheaper state?
On a 15-gallon tank, filling up in Ohio ($3.71) costs about $55.65, versus about $95.10 in California ($6.34) — a difference of nearly $40 per tank.
How often do these prices change?
AAA updates its fuel gauge data daily, and the state rankings can shift day to day. This ranking is a snapshot of the October 8, 2026 report; always verify current prices for your route before traveling.
Are gas prices expected to keep falling?
The national average dropped 5 cents in the week leading up to October 8, helped by lower crude prices, but crude has since climbed back above $90 a barrel and AAA flagged Hurricane Isaias as a risk to Gulf Coast refining. Further declines are not guaranteed.
