Gas Price Radar›Why are gas prices so high?
Week of October 26, 2026
Why are gas prices so high?
Take this week's national average of $4.27 a gallon. Crude oil alone accounts for about $2.96 of it, wholesale gasoline trades near $3.14, and state plus federal taxes average $0.52. The rest, around $0.60, covers distribution, retail costs and margins.
U.S. average, regular
$4.269
| Part of the price | Per gallon | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Crude oil (Brent ÷ 42 gallons) | $2.96 | 69% |
| Refining (wholesale gasoline minus crude) | $0.18 | 4% |
| Taxes (average state + federal) | $0.52 | 12% |
| Distribution, retail and margin | $0.60 | 14% |
Approximation built from EIA data: Brent and wholesale gasoline are five-day averages (October 21, 2026 to October 27, 2026); taxes are the average state rate plus the federal tax. Actual shares vary by state and by week.