Gas prices in Virginia

Key findings The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline across the Lower Atlantic region (the broader region Virginia belongs to) is $4.15, which is $0.32 per gallon below the national average of $4.48. Virginia drivers pay 29.8 cents per gallon in state gas taxes, ranking 27th highest in the country. The average residential electricity rate in Virginia is 17.1 cents per kWh, compared to the national residential average of 18.8 cents per kWh. Driving electric in Virginia could save approximately $1,684 per year in fuel costs compared to a gasoline vehicle. Over the past month, gas prices in Virginia have remained relatively stable. What are current gas prices in Virginia? The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a weekly retail gasoline price for Virginia on its own, but it does report a weekly average for the Lower Atlantic region, which includes Virginia. The current regional average for regular gasoline is $4.15. That is $0.32 per gallon lower than the national average of $4.48, which means drivers in Virginia are likely paying roughly 7.2% less than the typical American motorist. Actual prices at the pump in Virginia 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 Lower Atlantic region costs approximately $58.11. At the national average price, that same fill-up would cost $62.65. That means drivers in this area save about $4.54 every time they fill up compared to the national average. 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. Virginia 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 Virginia? Virginia has a state gas tax of 29.8 cents per gallon. That ranks 27th highest among all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This puts Virginia roughly in the middle of the pack compared to other states. On top of the state tax, drivers in Virginia also pay the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, bringing the combined tax burden to 48.2 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 Virginia? Over the past 30 days, gas prices in Virginia have remained relatively stable. Looking at a wider window, prices over the last 12 weeks have trended upward by about $0.82 per gallon. Gas prices across the United States are influenced by global crude oil markets, refinery output, seasonal demand, and geopolitical events. In Virginia, 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 Virginia Chart shows weekly regular gasoline prices across the Lower Atlantic region, the broader EIA region that includes Virginia. How do gas and electricity costs compare in Virginia? The average residential electricity rate in Virginia is 17.1 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 Virginia: Gasoline vehicle (average 25.4 MPG): $0.163 per mile Electric vehicle (average 0.30 kWh per mile): $0.051 per mile Driving electric in Virginia is approximately 69% cheaper per mile than driving on gasoline. Is it cheaper to drive electric in Virginia? Based on the average driver covering 15,000 miles per year, here is what annual fuel costs look like in Virginia: Gasoline vehicle: approximately $2,451 per year (at $4.15 per gallon and 25.4 MPG average) Electric vehicle: approximately $767 per year (at 17.1 cents per kWh and 0.30 kWh per mile) That is an estimated annual savings of $1,684 by driving electric in Virginia. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $8,421 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 Virginia What is the current average gas price in Virginia? The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not publish a state-level weekly retail gasoline price for Virginia. The current weekly average for the Lower Atlantic region, which includes Virginia, is $4.15. This figure is updated regularly using data from the EIA. Why are gas prices in the Lower Atlantic region lower than the national average? Prices in the Lower Atlantic region are influenced by regional supply and demand, refinery capacity and proximity, pipeline access, and local market competition. Virginia adds its own state gas tax of 29.8 cents per gallon on top of those regional factors, which combine to push pump prices below what drivers pay in other parts of the country. What is the gas tax in Virginia? Virginia charges a state gas tax of 29.8 cents per gallon. Combined with the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, the total tax on each gallon of gasoline in Virginia is 48.2 cents. What is the average electricity rate in Virginia? The average residential electricity rate in Virginia is 17.1 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 Virginia? In most cases, charging an electric vehicle in Virginia is significantly cheaper than filling up with gasoline. At current rates, driving electric costs approximately $0.051 per mile, while driving a gasoline vehicle costs about $0.163 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 Virginia? At the average residential electricity rate of 17.1 cents per kWh in Virginia, charging a typical EV with a 60 kWh battery from empty to full costs approximately $10.23 at home. Public DC fast charging typically costs more, ranging from $0.30 to $0.60 per kWh. What factors affect gas prices in Virginia? Gas prices in Virginia 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 Virginia? Gas prices in Virginia 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 Virginia? Based on 15,000 miles per year of driving in Virginia, switching from a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle could save approximately $1,684 per year in fuel costs alone. Additional savings come from lower maintenance expenses. Does Virginia offer any EV incentives? EV incentives vary by state and change frequently. Virginia 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 Virginia. When is the best time to buy gas in Virginia? Gas prices in Virginia 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.