Why gas is suddenly 25 cents cheaper in these 6 cities

In the United States, gas-powered vehicles still reign supreme, and recent legislation ensures that will be the case for a lot longer than we anticipated. With federal tax credits for EVs expiring and automakers pivoting back to hybrids, gas prices remain a critical weekly consideration for millions of commuters. As some regions see prices tick up due to seasonal shifts, many areas are seeing prices drop significantly.

We dove through the data to find the areas where gas prices are significantly lower than they were this time last year. If you live in one of these seven spots, you are paying at least a quarter less per gallon than you were in 2025. And there are good reasons why.

Norfolk, Nebraska

A touch north of Omaha and Lincoln lies Norfolk, Nebraska, where gas is a budget-friendly $2.28 per gallon. The city is a surprise winner for the lowest gas price in the United States right now, but the logistics make sense for Norfolk. The town is on a major trucking route, near important pipelines, and within a reasonable distance of several refineries.

The real story here is the year-over-year drop in gas pricing in Norfolk. In February 2025, gas in Norfolk was around $3.35 per gallon. Today’s price of $2.28 represents a staggering 31.9% decline—the most dramatic drop on our list. A full dollar cheaper for gas? Sign us up.

Portland, Oregon

The Pacific Northwest often feels the ripple effects of California’s supply chain issues, and recent rainstorms have kept prices from dipping as low as they usually do this time of year. However, Portland drivers are still seeing significant relief compared to February 2025.

The current average in the Portland area sits at $3.41 per gallon. While that might be high compared to the Midwest, it is a massive improvement over last year at this time, when gas in Portland was averaging $4.02 per gallon. That’s a savings of 61 cents per gallon.

Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines comes in at $2.39 per gallon, easily cementing its place on our list of affordable fuel hubs. As a capital city and a key player in the “Group 3” energy negotiation bloc, Des Moines benefits from central pipelines threading through Iowa. Des Moines proper is also large enough to make it a routine stop for fuel delivery vehicles, which helps keep pricing competitive.

Since February 2025, gas prices here have dipped 19.5%, down from $2.97 per gallon. Even in the short term, prices in 2026 have already dropped by 2.8%, marking the largest year-to-date decline of any city we researched.

Little Rock, Arkansas

In Arkansas, Little Rock is the place to be for savings, with prices hovering around $2.33 per gallon. The city serves as a major hub for refined gas from neighboring Oklahoma and sits along the massive ONEOK and Magellan pipelines that feed the Midwest. Another capital city, Little Rock sees gas delivery so frequently that competitive pricing is a must.

Drivers in the capital city are paying roughly 50 cents less per gallon than they were a year ago. In February 2025, the average price was $2.83 per gallon, marking a 17.7% year-over-year decline.

San Luis Obispo, California

California is known for the highest gas prices in the mainland US, thanks to high state taxes (60 cents per gallon!) and the requirements for special low-emissions fuel blends. San Luis Obispo is often one of the pricier spots due to its geography, which makes trucking in fuel a bit of a hike.

However, even the Central Coast is seeing a break. Prices currently average $4.43 per gallon, which is a notable drop from last year when prices were roughly $4.85 per gallon. It’s still far from cheap, but a 42-cent discount is nothing to sneeze at. And for Cal Poly students who commute to school, any savings are welcome.

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita is situated almost perfectly for cheap gas prices. It sits on major trucking corridors, making it an easy “drop” for tankers, and is very close to Oklahoma’s refining hubs. A major city in Kansas, Wichita is a must-stop for tankers, too.

Current pricing in Wichita is $2.28 per gallon. Year over year, the city’s gas prices have dipped 16.3%, one of the largest declines in the country. Already one of the cheaper hubs in the United States, Wichita is enjoying even lower prices in 2026; let’s hope the trend continues.

Disclaimer:All prices cited in this article are based on publicly available user-generated feedback. Gas stations do not provide daily reports on gas prices, and prices can change at any time. Autoblog is not responsible for the accuracy of pricing listed with user-generated reporting.