The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. hit an all-time high at $5.014 on Monday, according to AAA.
There are several factors behind why a gallon of gas can go over $5 a gallon. Here’s what we know about gas prices and how they are determined:
What makes up the price of gasoline?
Four factors make up the cost of a gallon of gas:
· The cost of crude oil.
· The cost of refining the crude oil.
· Distributing and marketing the oil.
· Federal and state taxes that are applied to each gallon of gas sold.
The cost of crude oil accounts for at least half of the price per gallon.
What determines the price of crude oil?
According to the American Petroleum Institute, “U.S crude oil prices are determined by global fundamentals, including supply and demand, inventories, seasonality, financial market considerations and expectations.”
How much does it cost to refine gasoline?
The cost to refine gasoline varies between 40 cents and 70 cents per gallon, depending on various factors.
What is the cost of distributing the oil?
The cost to transport the refined oil to service stations runs about 27 cents per gallon.
What about taxes? Is there a set rate?
Taxes vary by state. In addition to the basic state tax, additional taxes and fees such as sales taxes, gross receipts taxes, oil inspection fees, county and local taxes, underground storage tank fees and other miscellaneous environmental fees can be added to the cost of a gallon of gas.
The federal gas tax is the same for every state — 18.4 cents — an 18.3% tax plus a 0.1 cent charge for leaking underground storage tank fees.
Below is a chart that shows the gas tax for each state as of Jan. 1, 2022.
| States | State tax per gallon (in cents) | Other state, fees, taxes (in cents) | Total state tax (in cents) | Total state and federal tax per gallon (in cents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 28 | 0.012 | 29.2 | 49.46 |
| Alaska | 8 | 0.0095 | 8.95 | 27.35 |
| Arizona | 18 | 0.01 | 19 | 37.4 |
| Arkansas | 24.5 | 0.003 | 24.8 | 43.2 |
| California | 51.1 | 0.077 | 58.8 | 77.2 |
| Colorado | 22 | 0.0156 | 23.56 | 41.96 |
| Connecticut | 25 | N/A | 25 | 43.4 |
| Delaware | 23 | N/A | 23 | 41.4 |
| District of Columbia | 23.5 | 0.103 | 33.8 | 52.2 |
| Florida | 4 | 0.315 | 35.55 | 53.9 |
| Georgia | 29.1 | 0.0075 | 29.85 | 48.25 |
| Hawaii | 16 | 0.025 | 18.5 | 36.9 |
| Idaho | 32 | 0.01 | 33 | 51.4 |
| Illinois | 39.2 | 0.191 | 58.3 | 76.7 |
| Indiana | 32 | 0.183 | 50.3 | 68.7 |
| Iowa | 30 | N/A | 30 | 48.4 |
| Kansas | 24 | 0.0103 | 25.03 | 43.43 |
| Kentucky | 24.6 | 0.014 | 26 | 44.4 |
| Louisiana | 20 | 0.0093 | 20.9 | 39.33 |
| Maine | 30 | 0.014 | 31.4 | 49.8 |
| Maryland | 27.1 | 0.0919 | 36.29 | 54.69 |
| Massachusetts | 24 | 0.0298 | 26.98 | 45.38 |
| Michigan | 27.2 | 0.185 | 45.7 | 64.1 |
| Minnesota | 28.5 | 0.001 | 28.6 | 47 |
| Mississippi | 18 | 0.004 | 18.4 | 36.8 |
| Missouri | 19.5 | 0.0042 | 19.92 | 38.32 |
| Montana | 32.5 | 0.0075 | 33.25 | 51.65 |
| Nebraska | 24.8 | 0.009 | 25.7 | 44.1 |
| Nevada | 23 | 0.0081 | 23.81 | 42.21 |
| New Hampshire | 22.2 | 0.0163 | 23.83 | 42.23 |
| New Jersey | 10.5 | 0.3195 | 42.45 | 60.85 |
| New Mexico | 17 | 0.0188 | 18.88 | 37.28 |
| New York | 8 | 0.2568 | 33.68 | 52.08 |
| North Carolina | 38.5 | 0.0025 | 38.75 | 57.15 |
| North Dakota | 23 | 0.0003 | 23.03 | 41.43 |
| Ohio | 38.5 | N/A | 38.5 | 56.9 |
| Oklahoma | 19 | 0.01 | 20 | 38.40 |
| Oregon | 38 | N/A | 38 | 56.4 |
| Pennsylvania | 57.6 | 0.011 | 58.7 | 77.1 |
| Rhode Island | 34 | 0.0112 | 35.12 | 53.52 |
| South Carolina | 26 | 0.0075 | 26.75 | 45.15 |
| South Dakota | 28 | 0.02 | 30 | 48.40 |
| Tennessee | 26 | 0.014 | 27.4 | 45.8 |
| Texas | 20 | N/A | 20 | 38.4 |
| Utah | 31.9 | 0.0065 | 32.55 | 50.95 |
| Vermont | 12.2 | 0.2004 | 32.14 | 50.54 |
| Virginia | 26.2 | 0.079 | 34.10 | 52.50 |
| Washington | 49.4 | 0.0282 | 52.22 | 70.62 |
| West Virginia | 20.5 | 0.152 | 35.70 | 54.10 |
| Wisconsin | 30.9 | 0.02 | 32.90 | 51.30 |
| Wyoming | 23 | 0.01 | 24 | 42.4 |