District of Columbia Gas Prices and Why They Are What They Are
Prices as of August 13, 2026, per AAA · Updated August 15, 2026
As of August 13, 2026, regular gasoline in District of Columbia averages $4.21/gallon (the 16th-highest in the U.S.), per AAA — 0.20 above the national average of $4.01. Diesel averages $5.61. State fuel taxes and fees add 35.3¢/gallon on top of the 18.4¢ federal excise.
Where the $4.21 goes
| Component | $/gallon | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude oil (national cost, WTI July 2026) | 1.92 | 45% | EIA |
| Federal + District of Columbia fuel taxes (18.4¢ + 35.3¢) | 0.54 | 13% | Tax Foundation |
| Refining, distribution, margins & embedded program costs (residual) | 1.76 | 42% | computed |
Crude oil costs every state's refiners roughly the same, so District of Columbia's position comes from the tax line and the residual: refining capacity and logistics, fuel-specification requirements, and any carbon or clean-fuel program costs embedded in the pump price.
Compare: all states ranked · District of Columbia electricity rates · gasoline prices by country
Sources: AAA (pump prices, updated daily; the industry-standard 50-state series), Tax Foundation (2026 state fuel taxes), EIA (WTI crude). The residual is computed, not reported. See methodology.