Frequently Asked Questions
What do I pay for in a gallon of regular gasoline?
The national average retail price of a gallon of regular gasoline in August 2012 was $3.72. The four main components of the retail price of a gallon of gasoline, and their approximate share of the total price in August are:
- Crude Oil: 64%. The cost of crude oil as a share of the retail price varies over time and among regions of the country. Refiners paid an average of about $100.00 per barrel of crude oil, or about $2.38 per gallon, in August 2012.
- Refining Costs and Profits: 18%
- Distribution, Marketing, and Retail Costs and Profits: 7%
- Taxes: 11%. Federal excise taxes were 18.4 cents per gallon and state excise taxes averaged 23.44 cents per gallon.
See the Gasoline and Diesel Fuels Update.
Factors Affecting Gasoline Prices explains what drives gasoline prices.
Last updated: September 25, 2012
Other FAQs about Prices
- Are the prices that EIA publishes adjusted for inflation?
- Does EIA have city or county-level energy consumption and price data?
- Does EIA have gasoline prices by city, county, or zip code?
- Does EIA publish electric utility rate, tariff, and demand charge data?
- How do I calculate/find diesel fuel surcharges?
- How do I compare heating fuels?
- How much does it cost to generate electricity with different types of power plants?
- How much does it cost to produce crude oil and natural gas?
- How much tax do we pay on a gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel?
- What are the differences between various types of crude oil prices?
- What are the different types of coal prices published by EIA?
- What do I pay for in a gallon of regular gasoline?
- What is the outlook for gasoline prices for 2012 and for 2013?
- What is the outlook for home heating fuel prices this winter?
- What was the highest U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline?
- What's up (and down) with gasoline prices?
- Where can I find coking coal prices?
- Where can I find ethanol prices?
- Where can I find inflation-adjusted gasoline prices?
- Where can I find out about energy-related grants or tax credits for my home or business?
- Where can I find prices for off-road diesel fuel?
- Where can I get help paying my utility bills?
- Who do I contact to complain about high energy prices?
- Why am I being charged more for propane than the price on EIA's website?
- Why don't fuel prices change as quickly as crude oil prices?
- Why has diesel fuel been more expensive than gasoline?
- Why is the United States exporting gasoline when prices are so high?