Frequently asked questions
Where do your prices come from?
From the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s weekly retail survey (the Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update) and EIA’s weekly spot price tables. The site reads them automatically and labels the survey date on every figure.
How often are prices updated?
EIA surveys stations every Monday and usually publishes the same afternoon. Our Worker checks EIA every six hours, so new weekly figures appear within hours of release.
Do you have prices for every state?
Yes, with a clear label. EIA publishes weekly gasoline averages for nine states and diesel for California. For every other state we show the weekly average for its EIA region and say so on the page.
Why does my local station price differ?
EIA figures are averages across many stations, including all taxes. Individual stations vary with location, brand, competition and local taxes.
Do prices include taxes?
Retail prices include federal, state and local taxes. Spot (wholesale) prices on the jet fuel and analytics pages do not.
What is the national diesel price used for?
It is the benchmark most truckload and many parcel fuel surcharges are indexed to, so freight costs move with it each week.
Why is there no retail jet fuel price?
Jet fuel is sold to airlines under contract, not at a pump. The Gulf Coast spot price is the public benchmark.
What is the AI-written weekly brief?
Each week the Worker can ask an AI model to summarize the new figures. Every number in the draft is checked against EIA’s numbers and predictions are not allowed; if any check fails we publish a plain summary written from the same numbers instead.
Can I use your data?
Yes. The JSON feed at /api/prices.json is free to use with a link to FuelPriceGrid.com. Please cite the EIA survey date.
Are you affiliated with EIA?
No. Fuel Price Grid is independent. EIA data is public; we present it with history, maps and analysis.
What does “regional average” mean on a state page?
EIA does not survey that state separately for that fuel, so we show the weekly average for the EIA region the state belongs to.
Why do diesel and gasoline move differently?
Diesel competes with heating oil and jet fuel for distillate supply and is traded globally; gasoline follows driving demand and regional refining. See “Why diesel costs more than gasoline”.
Where do heating oil and propane prices come from?
From EIA’s State Heating Oil and Propane Program, which surveys residential prices weekly from October through March (monthly the rest of the year) in 21 states for heating oil and 38 for propane.
Where do the electricity prices come from?
From EIA’s Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A): the average residential price in each state, which is revenue divided by kWh sold. It is published with about a two-month lag.
Where do the fuel tax figures come from?
State rates are from the Tax Foundation’s July 2026 table, compiled from state statutes; federal rates are 18.4¢ for gasoline and 24.4¢ for diesel. Some local taxes are not included.
Do you forecast prices?
No. The forecast page shows EIA’s official Short-Term Energy Outlook exactly as published, and updates when EIA releases a new edition.
Can I put your prices on my website?
Yes. Use the free widget at /embed or the JSON feed at /api/prices.json, with a link to FuelPriceGrid.com.
How do I contact you?
Call or email; details are on the contact page and in the footer of every page.