Jonesboro, Arkansas – Gas prices across Arkansas are showing a noticeable shift this week, offering drivers a bit of relief after months of higher costs, even as broader global uncertainty continues to influence the market.
According to AAA data released this week, the state’s average price for regular unleaded gasoline now sits at $3.74 per gallon. That marks a 12-cent drop from last week, a change that many drivers have likely felt at the pump. Still, the current average remains significantly higher than last year’s levels, sitting about 97 cents above what motorists were paying on the same day in 2024.
The latest figures also highlight how sharply conditions have changed over time. Just four years ago this week, Arkansas gas prices reached an all-time high of $4.54 per gallon, a record set during a period of intense national and global energy pressure. While today’s prices are lower than that peak, they remain elevated compared to historical averages.
AAA noted that global factors are still playing a role in shaping fuel costs. In a Thursday news release, the organization pointed to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies.
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“Gas prices typically peak around this time of year, but uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz makes this year more unpredictable,” AAA said in a Thursday news release. “Pump prices remain at four-year highs, but the national average is currently far from the record set on June 11, 2022, of $5 per gallon.”
Despite those concerns, the national trend has been moving downward. The U.S. average price for gasoline has fallen for three consecutive weeks, now sitting at $4.12 per gallon. This steady decline suggests that some of the pressure on fuel markets may be easing, at least in the short term.
Within Arkansas, prices vary depending on location. Drivers in Jonesboro are currently seeing the lowest average cost in the state at $3.60 per gallon. Meanwhile, motorists in Texarkana are paying the highest local average, at $3.74 per gallon, matching the statewide figure.
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The broader national picture shows even wider variation. States on the West Coast continue to dominate the list of highest fuel prices. California leads the nation at $5.80 per gallon, followed closely by Hawaii at $5.58 and Washington at $5.56. Other high-cost states include Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois and New York, all well above the national average.
On the other end of the spectrum, several states are seeing much lower prices. Indiana currently holds the lowest average in the country at $3.39 per gallon. Texas follows at $3.58, while Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas round out the list of least expensive gasoline markets.
For Arkansas drivers, the recent 12-cent drop offers a modest break, though prices remain sensitive to global developments and seasonal demand. As summer travel continues, analysts expect further fluctuations, especially if international supply conditions shift again.
