Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) benchmark
District of Columbia Gas Prices
Regular gasoline, all formulations, including taxes · Week ending Oct 26, 2026
Regular gasoline · Oct 26, 2026
Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) regional average (state benchmark) average price per gallon
$3.832 −$0.030
vs. week earlier · -0.7%
−$0.437 vs U.S. average ($4.269)
- 4 weeks ago
- $4.195
- Year ago
- $2.807
- 52-week low
- $2.620
- 52-week high
- $4.200
5-year weekly trend
USD / gallonWeekly retail average, all formulations, including taxes. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Latest available week: 2026-10-26.
All-time high
$4.720
Jun 13, 2022
All-time low (since 2000)
$1.000
Dec 17, 2001
What drivers in District of Columbia are paying this week
District of Columbia does not have a published weekly statewide average, so the reference number above is the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) average of $3.832. That regional benchmark fell $0.030 week over week and is $0.437 below the national average of $4.269. Stations in District of Columbia typically trade within roughly 20 to 40 cents of the regional figure, depending on distance from the nearest terminal and local taxes.
Washington, D.C. has no refineries and no pipelines of its own. Every gallon arrives by truck from terminals in Maryland and Virginia, and the district adds its own fuel tax on top.
Why District of Columbia gas prices land where they do
- Fuel is delivered entirely by tanker truck from surrounding states.
- The district fuel tax is higher than Virginia and Maryland rates.
- Retail space is expensive, which raises station operating costs.
These are structural factors, not daily noise. They explain why District of Columbia tends to sit in the same part of the national price range week after week, even when the national average moves. For the general mechanics behind these forces, see our guide on how gas prices are set.
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia has no bordering state with a published weekly average, so the most useful comparison is the national average of $4.269 and the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) benchmark of $3.832. The state currently sits $0.437 lower than the national figure.
Ways to spend less on gas in District of Columbia
- Membership warehouses such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s usually price 10 to 30 cents below nearby branded stations.
- Stations a few miles off the interstate are often cheaper than the first exit, because they pay less for land and rely on local traffic.
- Apps that show station-level prices are worth using for the last mile — our numbers give you the regional baseline, they give you the address.
- Keeping tires at the recommended pressure and removing roof racks can recover 3 to 6 percent of fuel economy, which is worth 10 to 20 cents a gallon at current prices.
Want a number instead of a rule of thumb? The commute cost calculator turns your own miles and MPG into a weekly and annual fuel bill, using the current District of Columbia price as the default.
How we source District of Columbia prices
Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's weekly retail gasoline survey, which reports average retail prices in dollars per gallon including taxes. We rebuild the page every week after the survey is released, so the date on the price panel always matches the data behind it. We do not estimate missing state numbers; where the EIA does not publish a statewide series, we label the regional benchmark instead. Full details are in our methodology and data sources pages.
The bottom line for District of Columbia drivers
At the regional benchmark of $3.832 per gallon, a 12-gallon fill-up in District of Columbia costs about $45.98. Over a 15,000-mile year at 28 MPG, that implies roughly $2053 in fuel, before any local station discounts.
District of Columbia gas price FAQ
What is the average gas price in District of Columbia right now?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly statewide retail average for District of Columbia. The closest official benchmark is the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) average, which was $3.832 per gallon for the week ending Oct 26, 2026. Local station prices in District of Columbia typically fall within roughly 20 to 40 cents of that regional figure.
Is gas cheaper in District of Columbia than the national average?
District of Columbia is compared against the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) benchmark rather than a statewide number. The region averaged $3.832 versus the national average of $4.269, so District of Columbia stations are best described as tracking below the national figure.
Why are gas prices low in District of Columbia?
Fuel is delivered entirely by tanker truck from surrounding states. The district fuel tax is higher than Virginia and Maryland rates. Retail space is expensive, which raises station operating costs. These factors matter more than the national average in determining what local stations charge, because fuel markets are regional, not national.
Where can I find the cheapest gas in District of Columbia?
Station-level pricing is not part of the EIA dataset, so we do not publish a cheapest-station list. In practice, the lowest prices in District of Columbia are usually at membership warehouses, at high-volume stations on secondary roads rather than interstate exits, and at stations in lower-cost suburban counties. Use a station-level price app for the final address and our District of Columbia benchmark to judge whether the price you see is reasonable.
Will gas prices go down in District of Columbia?
Nobody can forecast a specific week with confidence. What can be said is mechanical: District of Columbia prices follow crude oil costs, regional refining capacity, seasonal fuel specifications, and local taxes. When crude falls and refineries run normally, prices usually follow within two to four weeks. When a refinery goes down or a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast, the move can reverse within days.