Gas Prices in Iowa Today
Track today's average gas price in Iowa, compare it to the national average, and estimate your fuel costs with a free calculator. Data updated daily from EIA.
About Gas Prices in Iowa
Gas prices in Iowa are reported daily by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) as part of their weekly survey of fuel retailers. The price shown is a statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline. Prices at individual stations in Iowa may be higher or lower depending on location, brand, and local competition.
Several factors influence Iowa's gas price: state fuel taxes, the distance from major refineries, pipeline and distribution infrastructure, and the required seasonal fuel blend. Use the calculator above to see exactly how today's Iowa price affects your commute, road trip, or monthly driving budget.
Iowa Fuel Taxes: ≈30¢/gal
Iowa has a state gas tax below the national average, with a lower rate for ethanol blends. Iowa's state gas tax is about 30 cents per gallon for regular gasoline, below the roughly 33.5-cent national average. Iowa is one of the few states that taxes fuel by blend: E15 and higher ethanol blends are taxed several cents per gallon lower than regular unleaded, a deliberate incentive tied to the state's ethanol industry.
Tax figures are approximate state-level taxes and fees per gallon of regular gasoline and exclude the 18.4¢/gal federal excise tax. Rates change — verify current rates with the state's revenue or transportation department.
How Iowa Gets Its Gasoline
Iowa has no petroleum refineries and receives its gasoline by pipeline and truck from refineries elsewhere in the Midwest. What sets Iowa apart is ethanol: the state is by far the largest ethanol producer in the country, with more than 40 plants, and virtually all gasoline sold in Iowa is at least E10. State law and retailer incentives have also made E15 — sold as 'Unleaded 88' — more widely available at Iowa pumps than almost anywhere else in the U.S.
Where Gas Is Cheapest and Most Expensive in Iowa
Prices are fairly uniform across Iowa's flat, interstate-connected geography. Des Moines, the largest market, and the I-80 corridor generally see the most competitive prices, while Council Bluffs tracks the neighboring Omaha market. Rural counties farthest from pipeline terminals run a few cents higher.