Gas prices in Montana

Key findings The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline across the Rocky Mountain region (the broader region Montana belongs to) is $4.56, which is $0.08 per gallon above the national average of $4.48. Montana drivers pay 33.5 cents per gallon in state gas taxes, ranking 17th highest in the country. The average residential electricity rate in Montana is 13.5 cents per kWh, compared to the national residential average of 18.8 cents per kWh. Driving electric in Montana could save approximately $2,085 per year in fuel costs compared to a gasoline vehicle. Over the past month, gas prices in Montana have risen by about $0.20 per gallon. What are current gas prices in Montana? The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly retail gasoline price for Montana on its own, but it does report a weekly average for the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Montana. The current regional average for regular gasoline is $4.56. That is $0.08 per gallon higher than the national average of $4.48, which means drivers in Montana are likely paying roughly 1.8% more than the typical American motorist. Actual prices at the pump in Montana can vary from the regional average depending on local taxes, distribution, and competition. For a vehicle with a standard 14-gallon fuel tank, a full fill-up in the Rocky Mountain region costs approximately $63.80. At the national average price, that same fill-up would cost $62.65. That means drivers in this area spend about $1.15 more every time they fill up. Gas prices vary based on several factors, including crude oil costs, refining capacity in the region, transportation and distribution expenses, local competition among gas stations, and state and federal tax rates. Montana also sees seasonal price fluctuations, with prices typically rising in the spring and summer driving months and falling during the winter. How much is gas tax in Montana? Montana has a state gas tax of 33.5 cents per gallon. That ranks 17th highest among all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This puts Montana roughly in the middle of the pack compared to other states. On top of the state tax, drivers in Montana also pay the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, bringing the combined tax burden to 51.9 cents for every gallon of regular gasoline purchased. State gas taxes fund road construction and maintenance, bridge repair, and other transportation infrastructure projects. Some states adjust their gas tax annually based on fuel prices or inflation, while others require legislative action to change the rate. How have gas prices changed in Montana? Over the past 30 days, gas prices in Montana have risen by about $0.20 per gallon. Looking at a wider window, prices over the last 12 weeks have trended upward by about $1.30 per gallon. Gas prices across the United States are influenced by global crude oil markets, refinery output, seasonal demand, and geopolitical events. In Montana, regional factors like proximity to refineries, pipeline infrastructure, and local supply and demand conditions add another layer of price variation. Prices tend to peak between Memorial Day and Labor Day when driving demand is highest, and they often dip in the fall and winter months. Gas price trend in Montana Chart shows weekly regular gasoline prices across the Rocky Mountain region, the broader EIA region that includes Montana. How do gas and electricity costs compare in Montana? The average residential electricity rate in Montana is 13.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That is below the national average residential electricity rate of 18.8 cents per kWh. The national average electricity rate across all sectors (residential, commercial, and industrial) is 14.2 cents per kWh. These electricity rates matter because they directly affect how much it costs to charge an electric vehicle at home. Most EV owners charge at home overnight using standard residential electricity, so the residential rate is the most relevant number for comparing fuel costs between gas and electric vehicles. Here is how the cost per mile breaks down in Montana: Gasoline vehicle (average 25.4 MPG): $0.179 per mile Electric vehicle (average 0.30 kWh per mile): $0.040 per mile Driving electric in Montana is approximately 77% cheaper per mile than driving on gasoline. Is it cheaper to drive electric in Montana? Based on the average driver covering 15,000 miles per year, here is what annual fuel costs look like in Montana: Gasoline vehicle: approximately $2,691 per year (at $4.56 per gallon and 25.4 MPG average) Electric vehicle: approximately $607 per year (at 13.5 cents per kWh and 0.30 kWh per mile) That is an estimated annual savings of $2,085 by driving electric in Montana. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $10,423 in fuel savings alone, not counting the additional maintenance savings that come with an electric vehicle (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements, and no transmission service). These estimates assume home charging at residential electricity rates. Public DC fast charging is typically more expensive, ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh depending on the network and location. For a more detailed comparison based on your specific vehicle and driving habits, try our EV Savings Calculator. Frequently asked questions about gas prices in Montana What is the current average gas price in Montana? The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a state-level weekly retail gasoline price for Montana. The current weekly average for the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Montana, is $4.56. This figure is updated regularly using data from the EIA. Why are gas prices in the Rocky Mountain region higher than the national average? Prices in the Rocky Mountain region are influenced by regional supply and demand, refinery capacity and proximity, pipeline access, and local market competition. Montana adds its own state gas tax of 33.5 cents per gallon on top of those regional factors, which combine to push pump prices above what drivers pay in other parts of the country. What is the gas tax in Montana? Montana charges a state gas tax of 33.5 cents per gallon. Combined with the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, the total tax on each gallon of gasoline in Montana is 51.9 cents. What is the average electricity rate in Montana? The average residential electricity rate in Montana is 13.5 cents per kWh. The national average for residential electricity is 18.8 cents per kWh, and the national average across all sectors is 14.2 cents per kWh. Is it cheaper to charge an EV or fill up with gas in Montana? In most cases, charging an electric vehicle in Montana is significantly cheaper than filling up with gasoline. At current rates, driving electric costs approximately $0.040 per mile, while driving a gasoline vehicle costs about $0.179 per mile. Use our EV Savings Calculator for a detailed comparison based on your vehicle. How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle in Montana? At the average residential electricity rate of 13.5 cents per kWh in Montana, charging a typical EV with a 60 kWh battery from empty to full costs approximately $8.09 at home. Public DC fast charging typically costs more, ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh. What factors affect gas prices in Montana? Gas prices in Montana are shaped by global crude oil prices, state and federal taxes, refinery capacity and proximity, pipeline and transportation infrastructure, seasonal demand patterns, and local market competition among gas stations. How often do gas prices change in Montana? Gas prices in Montana can change daily at the pump. Wholesale prices fluctuate based on crude oil markets and refinery output. The EIA publishes weekly state-level price data, and this page is updated monthly with the latest figures. What is the national average gas price? The current national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.48. This represents the average across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, weighted by volume. How much money can I save driving electric in Montana? Based on 15,000 miles per year of driving in Montana, switching from a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle could save approximately $2,085 per year in fuel costs alone. Additional savings come from lower maintenance expenses. Does Montana offer any EV incentives? EV incentives vary by state and change frequently. Montana may offer state tax credits, rebates, HOV lane access, or reduced registration fees for electric vehicles. Check our EV Incentive Finder for the most current incentives available in Montana. When is the best time to buy gas in Montana? Gas prices in Montana tend to be lowest in the fall and winter months when driving demand decreases. Prices typically rise in spring as refineries switch to summer-blend fuels and peak during the summer driving season. Filling up earlier in the week (Monday or Tuesday) can also sometimes yield slightly lower prices.