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Yes—but only as a historical, station-by-station snapshot. On or around December 18, 2025, a small number of U.S. stations were reported to be selling regular gasoline for less than $2 per gallon. The lowest listed price was $1.78 at Costco in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
That did not mean gasoline averaged below $2 nationally or across those states. AAA’s national regular-gas average was $2.896 per gallon on December 18, 2025. And this is no longer a current price guide: AAA reported a U.S. average of $4.0121 per gallon on August 9, 2026.
The short answer: gas under $2 was real, but uncommon
The original claim came from a SlashGear article published December 19, 2025, based on station-level price data available on or around December 18.
The defensible version of the claim is:
On December 18, 2025, individual stations in five states were reporting regular gasoline below $2 per gallon. These were temporary local prices, not state or national averages, and some of the cheapest examples were at membership-based warehouse clubs.
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In other words, “gas was under $2 in Texas” would be misleading. The evidence showed three individual stations in Texas reporting $1.89—not that Texas gasoline generally cost less than $2.
Every reported station below $2
The table below preserves the historical prices reported for December 18, 2025. The source coverage described these as regular fuel prices. They should be treated as dated reports rather than guaranteed pump prices, because the underlying station data could change, and the coverage did not publish a complete verification record for every listing.
| State | City | Station | Address, where independently reproduced | Reported regular price | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Colorado Springs | Costco | 5885 Barnes Road | $1.78 | Warehouse-club station; Costco membership required for fuel purchases. |
| Oklahoma | Midwest City | Sam’s Club | 6521 SE 29th Street | $1.84 | Warehouse-club station; Sam’s Club fuel pricing is a member benefit. |
| Texas | Houston | Market at Beamer | 10602 Fuqua Street | $1.89 | Historical station report; confirm eligibility and grade at the pump. |
| Texas | Katy | Texaco | 23955 Franz Road | $1.89 | Historical station report; price was not a statewide Texas average. |
| Texas | Katy | Flash Fuel | 23955 Franz Road | $1.89 | Historical station report; confirm the price before making a detour. |
| Iowa | Indianola | Phillips 66 | Not specified in the supplied contemporaneous listing | $1.94 | Historical station report for regular gasoline. |
| Tennessee | Waverly | Murphy USA | 145 Walton Drive | $1.99 | Historical station report for regular gasoline. |
Station addresses for the Colorado Springs, Midwest City, Houston, Katy, and Waverly listings were reproduced in contemporaneous state-by-state price coverage. The original report’s methodology relied on GasBuddy data, which is useful for locating potential bargains but should not be treated as a promise that a pump will display the same price later.
Stations that were close to $2—but not below it
Several other listings were near the threshold. They are worth separating from the genuine sub-$2 prices:
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|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | Sam’s Club, Gulfport | $2.03 | Near $2, but not under |
| Louisiana | Sam’s Club, Alexandria | $2.03 | Near $2, but not under |
| Kansas | Jumpstart, McPherson | $2.03 | Near $2, but not under |
| Wisconsin | BP, Appleton | $2.05 | Near $2, but not under |
| Arkansas | Brookshire’s, Ashdown | $2.06 | Near $2, but not under |
A price of $2.03 may feel effectively equivalent to $2 when discussing a broad trend, but it does not support the literal claim that the station was selling gasoline below $2.
How rare was the sub-$2 gasoline?
Very rare relative to the overall market. AAA’s December 18 release identified these as the ten least-expensive state gasoline markets:
| Rank | State | AAA average price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | $2.34 |
| 2 | Arkansas | $2.46 |
| 3 | Iowa | $2.47 |
| 4 | Colorado | $2.49 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $2.51 |
| 6 | Texas | $2.51 |
| 7 | Mississippi | $2.52 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $2.52 |
| 9 | Kansas | $2.52 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $2.52 |
The national average was $2.896. That creates three different facts that should not be conflated:
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- National average: $2.896.
- Cheapest state average: roughly $2.3 in Oklahoma.
- Lowest individual station report: $1.78 in Colorado Springs.
There is also a discrepancy concerning Oklahoma. SlashGear cited Oklahoma’s average as $2.289, while AAA’s contemporaneous press release rounded the state average to $2.34. The difference could reflect collection times, averaging methods, a live figure versus a rounded release, or a transcription issue. It is safer to describe Oklahoma as the cheapest state market at roughly $2.3 per gallon rather than present $2.289 as an uncontested AAA figure.
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Why were these stations and states cheaper?
Gasoline prices are built from more than the cost of crude oil. The U.S. Energy Information Administration identifies four major components:
- Crude oil costs
- Refining costs and refinery margins
- Distribution, marketing, and retail operating costs
- Federal, state, and local taxes
Regional prices also depend on how easily fuel can reach a market. Locations near refineries, pipelines, ports, and fuel terminals can have lower transportation costs. A large number of competing stations can also force retailers to cut prices, while a local supply problem, a refinery outage, or a less competitive market can push prices higher.
The Gulf Coast and parts of the Midwest often benefit from refinery access and comparatively efficient fuel distribution. EIA generally identifies the Gulf Coast as the lowest-priced U.S. region, while the West Coast is usually among the most expensive. But geography is not destiny. A station’s exact location, nearby competition, rent, labor costs, local taxes, and supply contract can matter more than its state’s reputation.
That is why “Texas produces oil, so Texas must always have the cheapest gasoline” is an incomplete explanation. Texas can benefit from Gulf Coast refining and distribution, but local market conditions, taxes, fuel formulations, and logistics still determine what appears on a particular station’s sign. EIA’s regional-price explanation covers these differences in more detail.
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Could the cheapest prices have been members-only?
Yes. The two most dramatic examples were at Costco and Sam’s Club:
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- Sam’s Club: Sam’s describes fuel pricing as a member-only benefit. Its current membership materials list annual Club membership at $60 and Plus membership at $120, although promotional prices can change. Fuel-center access and payment options can also vary by location.
- Costco: Costco fuel stations are structured for members, and Costco’s current standard membership price is $65 per year according to its 2026 membership information.
That means the $1.78 and $1.84 prices should not be presented as universally available to every driver passing through Colorado Springs or Midwest City. Membership, payment rules, station hours, and lines all affect the practical value of the deal.
To estimate whether joining a warehouse club makes financial sense, use:
Break-even gallons = annual membership cost ÷ expected per-gallon savings
For example, a $65 Costco membership and an average saving of 10 cents per gallon require approximately 650 gallons of fuel purchases to break even, before accounting for detours or other membership benefits. A driver making one isolated fill-up should not pay an annual fee solely to chase a low advertised price.
Costco also says a fuel purchase can involve a temporary payment-card authorization of up to $150. Sam’s Club says payment options vary by fuel center, and some locations may not accept cash. Check the retailer’s current policy and your card’s available balance before relying on a large purchase.
Was it definitely regular gasoline?
The historical coverage described the listed prices as regular fuel, not premium or diesel. Regular gasoline normally means the lowest-octane gasoline offered at the station, commonly 87 octane, but the price data should still be checked against the pump display.
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Do not put E85 in a gasoline-only vehicle. Check the fuel-door label or your owner’s manual before selecting it.
Even in a compatible flex-fuel vehicle, E85 usually provides fewer miles per gallon because ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline. A lower pump price does not automatically produce a lower cost per mile. Compare fuel economy, not just the number printed on the sign. The EPA’s E85 guidance and the Department of Energy’s flexible-fuel information explain the compatibility and economy trade-offs.
Does driving farther for cheap gas actually save money?
Often, the saving is smaller than it looks. Saving 20 cents per gallon on a 15-gallon fill-up saves only $3. A long detour, toll, extra idling, or time spent in a queue can erase that saving.
For a simple comparison:
Fuel savings = gallons purchased × price difference
Then subtract the cost of the detour, including fuel burned while reaching the station. For example, if your vehicle gets 30 mpg and you drive an extra 20 miles round trip, the detour consumes about two-thirds of a gallon. At $4 per gallon, that is roughly $2.67 in extra fuel—before valuing your time. A $3 headline saving would then be only about 33 cents in net fuel savings.
Before chasing an unusually low price, check:
- Whether the fuel is regular gasoline, not E85
- The octane and grade shown at the pump
- Whether the price requires a membership, loyalty account, app, or cash payment
- When the price was last reported
- Your tank size and the actual gallons you expect to buy
- The detour distance, tolls, traffic, and likely wait
- Station hours, pump availability, and any local restrictions
- Whether the station is still operating under the same brand and at the same address
Why station prices can differ so sharply
Even nearby stations can post different prices because retailers respond to local competition, wholesale contracts, station operating costs, and immediate supply conditions. State averages hide city-to-city and station-to-station variation. Prices can also change daily—or more than once in a day—as wholesale costs, demand, and competitive pressure change.
State borders can produce especially noticeable differences when tax rates, fuel suppliers, or transportation routes change. Conversely, a remote station in a generally inexpensive state may charge more because it has less nearby competition or higher delivery costs.
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Fuel formulation matters as well. Some regions require reformulated or specially blended gasoline for air-quality reasons, which can increase production, storage, and distribution costs. California, for example, has a relatively isolated gasoline market and uses a more stringent formulation than the federal baseline. Seasonal formulations can also affect supply and pricing.
Is gas under $2 available now?
Do not treat the December 2025 list as current. AAA’s national average for regular gasoline was $4.0121 per gallon on August 9, 2026. AAA listed the following averages on the same date:
- Texas: $3.5569
- Louisiana: $3.5810
- Mississippi: $3.5955
- Indiana: $3.4878
The latest EIA weekly series available before August 10 showed U.S. regular conventional gasoline at $3.935 per gallon for the week ending August 3, 2026. EIA released that figure August 4, with the next release scheduled for August 11.
AAA’s July 30, 2026 market report put the ten least-expensive state markets between approximately $3.56 and $3.76 per gallon, led by Indiana and Texas. Individual stations can still differ from state averages, but these figures make clear that the late-2025 sub-$2 prices are historical—not a current nationwide opportunity.
How to verify a cheap gas price today
- Search the exact station using AAA, GasBuddy, or the station’s own app or website.
- Check the timestamp. A price reported yesterday—or several hours ago—may already be outdated.
- Confirm the fuel type and grade. Make sure the listing is for regular gasoline and not E85, premium, diesel, or another product.
- Check the eligibility rules. Look for member-only, cash-only, credit, loyalty-card, or app-based pricing.
- Call the station if the price is unusually low or the trip would require a substantial detour.
- Compare the roadside sign with the pump. The pump price and the final receipt are what matter.
- Calculate the real saving after membership fees, detour fuel, tolls, waiting time, and any difference in fuel economy.
User-reported price services are valuable leads, but they are not guarantees. For a reliable record, preserve the original timestamp, station address, fuel grade, payment or membership condition, and whether another source confirmed the listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the U.S. national gas average ever below $2 during the December 2025 episode?
No. AAA’s national regular-gas average was $2.896 per gallon on December 18, 2025. The sub-$2 prices referred to individual station reports, with the lowest listed price at $1.78 in Colorado Springs.
What was the cheapest reported gas station in the U.S.?
The lowest price identified in the December 2025 station search was $1.78 for regular gasoline at a Costco in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was a dated station-level report, not an official nationwide minimum or a price that should be assumed to remain available.
Can any vehicle use E85 if it is cheaper than regular gasoline?
No. E85 is intended for flex-fuel vehicles only. Check the fuel-door label or owner’s manual before using it. It also usually delivers lower miles per gallon than gasoline, so compare cost per mile rather than pump price alone.
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The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Gas under $2 was genuinely reported at seven individual stations in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, and Tennessee on or around December 18, 2025. The lowest listing was $1.78, but the national average was $2.896, the cheapest state average was roughly $2.3, and two of the cheapest stations were member-based warehouse clubs. As of August 9, 2026, AAA’s national average was above $4, so the old list is historical—not a current promise of cheap gasoline.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
