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State profile · New Jersey

Why is gas cheaper in New Jersey?

New Jersey's gasoline averages $3.36 a gallon, $0.02 below the U.S. average of $3.38. About 45 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 New Jersey stations.

#21 of 50Democratic control−$0.02 vs U.S.
Average price · Jan–May 2026 $3.36/gal AAA regular-grade retail
National rank #21 of 50 states
vs national average −$0.02 1% below U.S. avg
5-year change +$0.60 since Jan–May 2021

What you're paying for

dollars per gallon, estimated June 2026
Base costs$2.91
Crude oil cost$1.74
Refining$0.48
Distribution & marketing$0.51
Federal excise tax$0.18
New Jersey policy adds$0.45
State excise + sales tax$0.45
The takeaway

New Jersey pays about $0.02 less per gallon than the U.S. average, helped by ample regional fuel supply.

Policy environment
State + local gas tax (total)45.0 ¢/gal
Carbon program on motor fuelNo
State-specific fuel blendNo
Political control
Today: Unified Democratic
Governor + General Assembly + Senate, all D
Years D, 2001–2025: 14 of 25
Years R, 2001–2025: 1 of 25
Years split: 10 of 25
Blue: unified D · Red: unified R · Gray: split
How New Jersey compares

Against its neighbors

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

#10   Pennsylvania
$3.52
#11   New York
$3.46
#21   New Jersey
$3.36
Ten-year history

Price over time

New Jersey  U.S. average

$2.11$2.77$3.44$4.11201720192021202320252026
Common questions

New Jersey, explained

Why does gas cost about $3.36 a gallon in New Jersey?

Using the U.S. Energy Information Administration's national price breakdown, New Jersey's pump price is roughly $1.74 for crude oil, $0.48 for refining, $0.51 for distribution and marketing, the 18.4-cent federal excise tax, and about 45 cents in state taxes. That puts it $0.02 below the national average of $3.38.

How much of New Jersey's gas price is taxes?+

New Jersey charges about 45 cents per gallon in state gasoline taxes, on top of the 18.4-cent federal tax. Combined, taxes make up roughly 19% of the $3.36 pump price.

Does New Jersey have a carbon program or special gasoline blend?+

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

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