Gulf Coast (PADD 3) benchmark
Arkansas Gas Prices
Regular gasoline, all formulations, including taxes · Week ending Oct 26, 2026
Regular gasoline · Oct 26, 2026
Gulf Coast (PADD 3) regional average (state benchmark) average price per gallon
$3.702 −$0.080
vs. week earlier · -2.2%
−$0.567 vs U.S. average ($4.269)
- 4 weeks ago
- $3.924
- Year ago
- $2.580
- 52-week low
- $2.370
- 52-week high
- $3.990
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
$4.630
Jun 13, 2022
All-time low (since 2000)
$1.000
Dec 24, 2001
What drivers in Arkansas are paying this week
Arkansas does not have a published weekly statewide average, so the reference number above is the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average of $3.702. That regional benchmark fell $0.080 week over week and is $0.567 below the national average of $4.269. Stations in Arkansas typically trade within roughly 20 to 40 cents of the regional figure, depending on distance from the nearest terminal and local taxes.
Arkansas combines a below-average fuel tax with good access to Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent refining. Prices in Little Rock and Fort Smith are frequently among the ten cheapest metro averages in the country.
Why Arkansas gas prices land where they do
- State fuel tax is well below the national average.
- Pipelines from Texas and Louisiana supply most of the state.
- Low population density means fewer stations, but operating costs are also lower.
These are structural factors, not daily noise. They explain why Arkansas 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 Arkansas compares
Neighboring states with a published weekly average give the clearest picture of the regional spread. The table below compares Arkansas against those states and the national average.
| Market | Regular price | vs Arkansas | Week change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $3.702 | — | −$0.080 |
| Texas | $3.632 | −$0.070 | −$0.070 |
| U.S. average | $4.269 | +$0.567 | −$0.010 |
Ways to spend less on gas in Arkansas
- 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 Arkansas price as the default.
How we source Arkansas 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 Arkansas drivers
At the regional benchmark of $3.702 per gallon, a 12-gallon fill-up in Arkansas costs about $44.42. Over a 15,000-mile year at 28 MPG, that implies roughly $1983 in fuel, before any local station discounts.
Arkansas gas price FAQ
What is the average gas price in Arkansas right now?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly statewide retail average for Arkansas. The closest official benchmark is the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, which was $3.702 per gallon for the week ending Oct 26, 2026. Local station prices in Arkansas typically fall within roughly 20 to 40 cents of that regional figure.
Is gas cheaper in Arkansas than the national average?
Arkansas is compared against the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) benchmark rather than a statewide number. The region averaged $3.702 versus the national average of $4.269, so Arkansas stations are best described as tracking below the national figure.
Why are gas prices low in Arkansas?
State fuel tax is well below the national average. Pipelines from Texas and Louisiana supply most of the state. Low population density means fewer stations, but operating costs are also lower. 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 Arkansas?
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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas benchmark to judge whether the price you see is reasonable.
Will gas prices go down in Arkansas?
Nobody can forecast a specific week with confidence. What can be said is mechanical: Arkansas 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.