The Story of the Gas Prices We Pay

The Washington Examiner, using AAA gas data, found that states led by Democratic governors almost always rank among the most expensive places to fuel up. In contrast, Republican-led states routinely offer the lowest prices. Current AAA data shows that nine of the ten cheapest states for gasoline have Republican governors. Meanwhile, California, Hawaii, and Washington sit at the top of the price charts, all governed by Democrats and all imposing some of the country’s most aggressive energy and environmental regulations.

National trends follow the same trajectory. The eight years with the highest average gas prices in modern history all occurred under Democratic administrations.

States that layer on strict emissions rules, carbon programs, fuel blending mandates, and regulatory constraints on refining and production create conditions where prices naturally climb. Added taxes and compliance costs make gasoline more expensive long before it ever reaches a consumer’s tank.

This relationship between policy and affordability is central to ongoing debates about energy reliability, domestic production, and long-term fuel stability. States that prioritize steady access to traditional energy sources consistently deliver lower prices and stronger consumer protections. Those that move in the opposite direction have created fuel markets marked by volatility and some of the highest costs in the country.