← National overview
State profile · Maine

Why is gas expensive in Maine?

Maine's gasoline averages $3.38 a gallon, $0.00 above the U.S. average of $3.38. About 31 cents per gallon comes from state taxes. The rest is crude oil, which is roughly half the pump price nationwide, plus the cost of refining and delivering fuel to Maine stations.

#19 of 50Democratic control−$0.01 vs U.S.
Average price · Jan–May 2026 $3.38/gal AAA regular-grade retail
National rank #19 of 50 states
vs national average −$0.01 0% below U.S. avg
5-year change +$0.73 since Jan–May 2021

What you're paying for

dollars per gallon, estimated June 2026
Base costs$3.07
Crude oil cost$1.74
Refining$0.48
Distribution & marketing$0.67
Federal excise tax$0.18
Maine policy adds$0.31
State excise + sales tax$0.31
The takeaway

Maine pays about $0.00 more per gallon than the U.S. average. State taxes and regional supply costs account for most of the gap.

Policy environment
State + local gas tax (total)31.4 ¢/gal
Carbon program on motor fuelNo
State-specific fuel blendNo
Political control
Today: Unified Democratic
Governor + House + Senate, all D
Years D, 2001–2025: 15 of 25
Years R, 2001–2025: 2 of 25
Years split: 8 of 25
Blue: unified D · Red: unified R · Gray: split
How Maine compares

Against its neighbors

Amber line marks the U.S. average of $3.38.

#13   Vermont
$3.45
#16   Connecticut
$3.41
#19   Maine
$3.38
#22   Massachusetts
$3.35
#23   Rhode Island
$3.35
#26   New Hampshire
$3.31
Ten-year history

Price over time

Maine  U.S. average

$2.05$2.73$3.42$4.10201720192021202320252026
Common questions

Maine, explained

Why does gas cost about $3.38 a gallon in Maine?

Using the U.S. Energy Information Administration's national price breakdown, Maine's pump price is roughly $1.74 for crude oil, $0.48 for refining, $0.67 for distribution and marketing, the 18.4-cent federal excise tax, and about 31 cents in state taxes. That puts it $0.00 above the national average of $3.38.

How much of Maine's gas price is taxes?+

Maine charges about 31 cents per gallon in state gasoline taxes, on top of the 18.4-cent federal tax. Combined, taxes make up roughly 14% of the $3.38 pump price.

Does Maine have a carbon program or special gasoline blend?+

No. Unlike California and Washington, Maine does not put a carbon price on motor fuel or require a state-specific gasoline blend, so neither adds to its pump price.

Keep exploring

Other states