Most fuel price reports focus on one question: How much does gasoline cost today? While average fuel prices provide a useful snapshot of market conditions, they don’t always tell the full story.

Another trend that’s worth watching is the price gap between Regular and Premium gasoline. Although both fuel grades often move in the same direction, they don’t always increase or decrease at the same pace. In many markets, Premium prices respond differently to regional supply conditions, retailer pricing strategies, seasonal demand, and local competition.

Tracking this spread can provide valuable insight into how fuel retailers position their pricing, how competitive dynamics vary across states, and where consumers may be paying significantly more for higher-octane fuel. Looking beyond national averages helps uncover these regional pricing patterns and offers a more complete picture of the U.S. fuel market.

To understand how this trend has evolved, we compared Regular and Premium gasoline prices across all U.S. states between July 1 and July 31, 2026. Below are six representative markets, followed by a complete state-by-state analysis highlighting where the Premium–Regular price gap has widened, narrowed, or remained relatively stable.

Here’s a comparison of today’s prices vs. four weeks ago across a few major U.S. markets: 

📍 Alaska: Four weeks ago, Regular gasoline was priced at $4.399/gal and Premium at $4.899/gal, creating a price gap of $0.500. Today, Regular stands at $4.489/gal while Premium has reached $4.999/gal, widening the gap to $0.510 an increase of $0.010 (+2.00%) over the past four weeks.

📍 Alabama: Regular gasoline averaged $3.384/gal and Premium $4.221/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.837. Today, Regular is priced at $3.695/gal while Premium stands at $4.531/gal, bringing the gap to $0.836 a marginal decrease of $0.001 (-0.12%).

📍 Arkansas: Regular gasoline was $3.433/gal and Premium $4.127/gal, producing a price gap of $0.694. Today, Regular averages $3.783/gal while Premium has increased to $4.484/gal, widening the gap to $0.701 an increase of $0.007 (+1.01%).

📍 Arizona: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.893/gal and Premium at $4.569/gal, creating a price gap of $0.676. Today, Regular stands at $4.468/gal while Premium has climbed to $5.147/gal, increasing the gap to $0.679 an increase of $0.003 (+0.44%).

📍 California: Regular gasoline was priced at $5.101/gal and Premium at $5.574/gal, creating a price gap of $0.473. Today, Regular stands at $5.416/gal while Premium has reached $5.901/gal, widening the gap to $0.485 an increase of $0.012 (+2.54%) over the past four weeks.

📍 Colorado: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.754/gal and Premium at $4.492/gal, creating a price gap of $0.738. Today, Regular averages $4.136/gal while Premium has increased to $4.881/gal, widening the gap to $0.745 an increase of $0.007 (+0.95%) over the past four weeks.

📍 Connecticut: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.754/gal and Premium at $4.483/gal, producing a price gap of $0.729. Today, Regular averages $4.118/gal while Premium has reached $4.905/gal, widening the gap to $0.787 an increase of $0.058 (+7.96%).

📍 Delaware: Regular gasoline averaged $3.662/gal and Premium $4.425/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.763. Today, Regular is $4.166/gal while Premium stands at $4.894/gal, bringing the gap to $0.728 a decrease of $0.035 (-4.59%).

📍 Florida: The Premium–Regular price difference was $0.774, with Regular at $3.823/gal and Premium at $4.597/gal. Today, the gap stands at $0.757, as Regular is priced at $3.807/gal and Premium at $4.564/gal, marking a decrease of $0.017 (-2.20%) over the past four weeks.

📍 Georgia: Regular gasoline was $3.505/gal and Premium $4.311/gal, creating a price gap of $0.806. Today, Regular averages $3.806/gal while Premium has increased to $4.617/gal, widening the gap to $0.811 an increase of $0.005 (+0.62%).

📍 Hawaii: Regular gasoline averaged $4.679/gal and Premium $5.170/gal, producing a price gap of $0.491. Today, Regular stands at $4.945/gal while Premium has reached $5.515/gal, increasing the gap to $0.570 an increase of $0.079 (+16.09%).

📍 Iowa: Regular gasoline was $3.915/gal and Premium $4.088/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.173. Today, Regular averages $4.229/gal while Premium is $4.425/gal, widening the gap to $0.196 an increase of $0.023 (+13.29%).

📍 Idaho: Regular gasoline averaged $4.102/gal and Premium $4.722/gal, producing a price gap of $0.620. Today, Regular stands at $4.331/gal while Premium has climbed to $4.933/gal, bringing the gap to $0.602 a decrease of $0.018 (-2.90%).

📍 Indiana: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.099/gal and Premium at $4.087/gal, creating a price gap of $0.988. Today, Regular averages $3.645/gal while Premium is $4.648/gal, widening the gap to $1.003 an increase of $0.015 (+1.52%).

📍 Illinois: The difference between Regular ($4.008/gal) and Premium ($5.022/gal) stood at $1.014. Today, the gap has widened to $1.057, with Regular at $4.292/gal and Premium at $5.349/gal, reflecting an increase of $0.043 (+4.24%).

📍 Kansas: Regular gasoline averaged $3.667/gal and Premium $4.252/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.585. Today, Regular stands at $3.926/gal while Premium has increased to $4.508/gal, bringing the gap to $0.582 a slight decrease of $0.003 (-0.51%).

📍 Kentucky: Regular gasoline was $3.397/gal and Premium $4.359/gal, creating a price gap of $0.962. Today, Regular averages $3.593/gal while Premium has risen to $4.570/gal, widening the gap to $0.977 an increase of $0.015 (+1.56%).

📍 Louisiana: Regular gasoline averaged $3.361/gal and Premium $4.207/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.846. Today, Regular stands at $3.515/gal while Premium is $4.362/gal, bringing the gap to $0.847 a marginal increase of $0.001 (+0.12%).

📍 Maine: Regular gasoline averaged $3.833/gal and Premium $4.839/gal, resulting in a price gap of $1.006. Today, Regular stands at $4.124/gal while Premium has reached $5.116/gal, bringing the gap to $0.992 a decrease of $0.014 (-1.39%) over the past four weeks.

📍 Maryland: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.624/gal and Premium at $4.432/gal, creating a price gap of $0.808. Today, Regular averages $4.115/gal while Premium is $4.923/gal, with the gap remaining at $0.808 showing no change (0.00%) over the past four weeks.

📍 Massachusetts: Regular gasoline averaged $3.775/gal and Premium $4.706/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.931. Today, Regular stands at $4.067/gal while Premium has increased to $5.003/gal, widening the gap to $0.936 an increase of $0.005 (+0.54%).

📍 Michigan: Regular gasoline was $4.075/gal and Premium $5.257/gal, producing a price gap of $1.182. Today, Regular averages $4.409/gal while Premium has climbed to $5.585/gal, bringing the gap to $1.176 a slight decrease of $0.006 (-0.51%).

📍 Minnesota: Regular gasoline averaged $3.654/gal and Premium $4.654/gal, creating a price gap of $1.000. Today, Regular stands at $3.961/gal while Premium has reached $4.954/gal, narrowing the gap slightly to $0.993 a decrease of $0.007 (-0.70%).

📍 Mississippi: Regular gasoline was $3.295/gal and Premium $4.135/gal, producing a price gap of $0.840. Today, Regular averages $3.567/gal while Premium is $4.406/gal, bringing the gap to $0.839 a marginal decrease of $0.001 (-0.12%).

📍 Missouri: Regular gasoline averaged $3.460/gal and Premium $4.179/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.719. Today, Regular stands at $3.787/gal while Premium has increased to $4.500/gal, narrowing the gap slightly to $0.713 a decrease of $0.006 (-0.83%).

📍 Montana: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.892/gal and Premium at $4.583/gal, creating a price gap of $0.691. Today, Regular averages $4.250/gal while Premium has risen to $4.941/gal, leaving the gap unchanged at $0.691 showing no change (0.00%).

📍 Nebraska: Regular gasoline averaged $3.899/gal and Premium $3.957/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.058. Today, Regular stands at $4.248/gal while Premium is $4.334/gal, widening the gap to $0.086 an increase of $0.028 (+48.28%).

📍 Nevada: Regular gasoline was $4.398/gal and Premium $5.003/gal, creating a price gap of $0.605. Today, Regular averages $4.657/gal while Premium has reached $5.261/gal, narrowing the gap slightly to $0.604 a decrease of $0.001 (-0.17%).

📍 New Hampshire: Regular gasoline averaged $3.786/gal and Premium $4.773/gal, producing a price gap of $0.987. Today, Regular stands at $4.068/gal while Premium has increased to $5.049/gal, bringing the gap to $0.981 a decrease of $0.006 (-0.61%).

📍 New Jersey: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.784/gal and Premium at $4.458/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.674. Today, Regular averages $4.132/gal while Premium stands at $4.780/gal, narrowing the gap to $0.648 a decrease of $0.026 (-3.86%).

📍 New Mexico: Regular gasoline averaged $3.718/gal and Premium $4.503/gal, creating a price gap of $0.785. Today, Regular stands at $4.019/gal while Premium has risen to $4.819/gal, widening the gap to $0.800 an increase of $0.015 (+1.91%).

📍 New York: Regular gasoline averaged $4.020/gal and Premium $4.918/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.898. Today, Regular stands at $4.163/gal while Premium has increased to $5.046/gal, bringing the gap to $0.883 a decrease of $0.015 (-1.67%) over the past four weeks.

📍 North Carolina: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.547/gal and Premium at $4.371/gal, creating a price gap of $0.824. Today, Regular averages $3.777/gal while Premium stands at $4.599/gal, narrowing the gap slightly to $0.822 a decrease of $0.002 (-0.24%).

📍 North Dakota: Regular gasoline averaged $3.786/gal and Premium $4.354/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.568. Today, Regular stands at $3.995/gal while Premium has increased to $4.509/gal, bringing the gap to $0.514 a decrease of $0.054 (-9.51%).

📍 Ohio: Regular gasoline was $3.664/gal and Premium $4.673/gal, producing a price gap of $1.009. Today, Regular averages $4.066/gal while Premium has reached $5.081/gal, widening the gap to $1.015 an increase of $0.006 (+0.59%).

📍 Oklahoma: Regular gasoline averaged $3.409/gal and Premium $3.971/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.562. Today, Regular stands at $3.795/gal while Premium has increased to $4.372/gal, widening the gap to $0.577 an increase of $0.015 (+2.67%).

📍 Oregon: Regular gasoline was priced at $4.484/gal and Premium at $5.145/gal, creating a price gap of $0.661. Today, Regular averages $4.511/gal while Premium has risen to $5.195/gal, widening the gap to $0.684 an increase of $0.023 (+3.48%).

📍 Pennsylvania: Regular was $4.007/gal and Premium $4.794/gal, resulting in a gap of $0.787. Today, Regular averages $4.223/gal while Premium is $5.011/gal, bringing the gap to $0.788 a marginal increase of $0.001 (+0.13%).

📍 Rhode Island: Regular gasoline averaged $3.744/gal and Premium $4.689/gal, producing a price gap of $0.945. Today, Regular stands at $4.097/gal while Premium has increased to $5.029/gal, bringing the gap to $0.932 a decrease of $0.013 (-1.38%).

📍 South Carolina: Regular gasoline was $3.479/gal and Premium $4.316/gal, creating a price gap of $0.837. Today, Regular averages $3.636/gal while Premium stands at $4.478/gal, widening the gap to $0.842 an increase of $0.005 (+0.60%).

📍 South Dakota: Regular gasoline averaged $3.890/gal and Premium $4.365/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.475. Today, Regular stands at $4.185/gal while Premium has increased to $4.646/gal, narrowing the gap slightly to $0.461 a decrease of $0.014 (-2.95%).

📍 Tennessee: Regular gasoline was $3.379/gal and Premium $4.171/gal, producing a price gap of $0.792. Today, Regular averages $3.611/gal while Premium has risen to $4.401/gal, bringing the gap to $0.790a slight decrease of $0.002 (-0.25%).

📍 Texas: Regular gasoline averaged $3.237/gal and Premium $4.064/gal, producing a gap of $0.827. Today, Regular is $3.515/gal and Premium $4.347/gal, resulting in a gap of $0.832 an increase of $0.005 (+0.60%).

📍 Utah: Regular gasoline averaged $3.852/gal and Premium $4.394/gal, resulting in a price gap of $0.542. Today, Regular stands at $4.248/gal while Premium has increased to $4.797/gal, widening the gap to $0.549 an increase of $0.007 (+1.29%).

📍 Virginia: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.626/gal and Premium at $4.424/gal, creating a price gap of $0.798. Today, Regular averages $3.898/gal while Premium stands at $4.698/gal, widening the gap to $0.800 an increase of $0.002 (+0.25%).

📍 Vermont: Regular gasoline averaged $3.963/gal and Premium $4.992/gal, resulting in a price gap of $1.029. Today, Regular stands at $4.159/gal while Premium has reached $5.150/gal, bringing the gap to $0.991 a decrease of $0.038 (-3.69%).

📍 Washington: Over the same period, Regular averaged $4.821/gal and Premium $5.393/gal, with a gap of $0.572. Today, the gap has widened to $0.628, as Regular is priced at $4.852/gal and Premium at $5.480/gal, representing an increase of $0.056 (+9.79%).

📍 West Virginia: Regular gasoline was $3.637/gal and Premium $4.493/gal, producing a price gap of $0.856. Today, Regular averages $3.883/gal while Premium has increased to $4.741/gal, widening the gap to $0.858 an increase of $0.002 (+0.23%).

📍 Wisconsin: Regular gasoline averaged $3.612/gal and Premium $4.743/gal, resulting in a price gap of $1.131. Today, Regular stands at $4.022/gal while Premium has climbed to $5.155/gal, bringing the gap to $1.133 an increase of $0.002 (+0.18%).

📍 Wyoming: Regular gasoline was priced at $3.794/gal and Premium at $4.470/gal, creating a price gap of $0.676. Today, Regular averages $4.050/gal while Premium stands at $4.738/gal, widening the gap to $0.688 an increase of $0.012 (+1.78%).

Key Insights

✔ The Premium–Regular price gap widened in many U.S. states during July, indicating that Premium gasoline pricing is not always moving in line with Regular fuel prices.

✔ The widest Premium–Regular price gaps were observed in states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Vermont, Ohio, and Maine, where the difference between fuel grades approached or exceeded $1.00 per gallon.

✔ Western states including California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Hawaii continued to record some of the nation’s highest Premium gasoline prices, reflecting the region’s consistently elevated fuel costs.

✔ Not every state followed the same trend. While many markets recorded widening gaps, states including Florida, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York experienced narrowing spreads, highlighting the impact of regional pricing strategies and local market conditions.

✔ Several states showed little or no movement in the Premium–Regular spread, suggesting relatively stable pricing relationships despite broader fluctuations in gasoline prices throughout the month.

✔ Regional differences remain significant. States within the same region often exhibited different pricing behavior, reinforcing that local competition, supply conditions, and retailer pricing decisions play an important role in determining fuel prices.

✔ Monitoring fuel grades individually provides a more complete picture of the market than relying solely on national average gasoline prices. Tracking changes in the Premium–Regular spread can help identify emerging pricing trends and competitive dynamics across different markets.

Conclusion

While national average gasoline prices remain an important benchmark for understanding overall fuel market conditions, they tell only part of the story. Examining the relationship between Regular and Premium gasoline provides an additional layer of market intelligence, revealing how pricing strategies differ across states, regions, and competitive markets.

Our comparison of July 1 and July 31, 2026 shows that although the Premium–Regular price gap remained relatively stable in some states, it widened across many others, with notable regional variations. These differences underscore the importance of looking beyond average pump prices to better understand how retailers position Premium fuel and how market dynamics continue to evolve.

For fuel retailers, convenience store operators, wholesalers, and market intelligence teams, tracking fuel grades separately can uncover valuable competitive insights that traditional price reports often overlook. As regional demand, supply conditions, and pricing strategies continue to shift, monitoring the Premium–Regular spread can help businesses make more informed pricing decisions and better benchmark their performance across markets.

At ITSYS Solutions, we help organizations transform publicly available fuel pricing data into actionable competitive intelligence through large-scale web data acquisition and pricing analytics. By delivering timely, location-level market insights, we enable businesses to stay ahead of pricing trends and make data-driven decisions in an increasingly competitive fuel retail landscape.