Gas prices in Iowa are some of the lowest in the nation right now, but they’re still higher than they’ve ever been. This is due to changes in the global economy coupled with poor fuel efficiency and moderate gas taxes in the Hawkeye State.

On March 8, 2022, President Biden announced a ban on Russian gas and oil imports. This caused a huge jump in already-high gas prices across the nation thanks to increased demand and a diminished supply after COVID-19.

Stick around because we've got the best guide to Iowa’s gas prices. We’ll talk about what the experts say and some tips to save money on all things car-related.

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How to save on Iowa car insurance

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What is the average price of gas in Iowa?

According to

AAA

, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Iowa is $4.17 as of May 2022, a fair bit lower than the national average of $4.60/gal.

You’ll pay even higher prices for higher-grade gas. This is what the price of gas in Iowa is by grade:

Regular: $4.17/gal

Mid-grade: $4.33/gal

Premium: $4.75/gal

Diesel: $5.21/gal

MORE:

Diesel vs. gas: How they compare

Which city in Iowa has the highest gas prices?

Some of Iowa’s highest gas prices are in cities in eastern and central Iowa, like

Dubuque

and

Ames

, with gas over $4.20/gal and diesel prices approaching $5.32/gal.

You can find lower prices near the Nebraska border, with prices in

Council Bluffs

and

Sioux City

at $4.10/gal.

Why are gas prices in Iowa lower than average?

So what makes residents of the Hawkeye State lucky enough to enjoy below-average gas prices, when residents of

California

and

Washington

pay $6.069/gal and $5.210/gal, respectively?

The factors involved are beyond supply and demand, though that certainly plays a role, too State’s regulations on emissions, of which Iowa has none, tend to increase prices State gas taxes also factor in—Iowa’s is $0.484 per gallon, while California’s is as high as $0.772.

Of course, Iowa’s gas prices are still high, even if the state’s average price is lower than the national average. Part of this is the type of vehicle many Iowans purchase: pickup trucks. Iowans ranked in the bottom four for vehicle fuel efficiency in a study by WalletHub. The average vehicle in Iowa gets 13.5 mpg.

Average commute times across the state also bring fuel costs down. The national average is 26.4 minutes, while Iowa’s is 19.1 minutes. This keeps the demand for fuel lower than in parts of the country with longer commute times.

MORE:

How to find the best gas prices

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How to deal with Iowa’s gas prices

Here are some simple money hacks that can help you adapt to the rising cost of fuel:

Don’t skimp on maintenance. You’re paying anywhere between $62 and $80 to fill up your tank, so it might be tempting to skip a $40 oil change, but don’t! Staying on top of your

car maintenance schedule

can prevent bigger expenses in the future.

DIY some car repairs: You might need a professional mechanic for a failed transmission or a leak in the engine, but you can

save on car expenses

by learning how to change your air filters and wiper blades, flush your radiator fluid, and replace your spark plugs.

Refinance your

car loan

: Your car loan payment is one of the biggest expenses for your monthly vehicle costs, but you can often reduce your payment by refinancing with a new lender.

Get an electric vehicle: You’ll save on gas when you go electric, but did you know you can save an additional $500 on an electric vehicle by taking advantage of

Iowa’s electric vehicle incentives

Change up your insurance: Insurance rates are just as fickle as gas prices. That’s why you should follow expert advice and

shop for car insurance every 6 months

MORE:

What are Iowa’s car insurance laws?

Save money on car insurance in Iowa

Your bank account is limping along after these recent increases in gas prices, but you can give it some support by shopping for

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and refinancing your auto loan with

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