Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay
Gas prices have been on a roller coaster in 2026, and after a summer climb the national average is once again flirting with $4 a gallon. Here's where Alexandria drivers can find the best prices around town, how the region stacks up against the rest of the country, and a few proven ways to spend less every time you fill up.
The fastest way to spot the lowest price near you is a live fuel-tracking tool GasBuddy. The map for Alexandria ZIP codes updates throughout the day and lets you sort by price, neighborhood and fuel grade — worth a 30-second check before you head out, since the cheapest station can shift from one day to the next.
Here's a sampling of some of the cheapest gas across Alexandria as of July 19, according to GasBuddy:
- Exxon, 2838 Duke St.: $3.69
- Liberty, 725 N. Washington St.: $3.76
- Liberty, 1015 W. Glebe: $3.79
- Shell, 2922 Duke St.: $3.79
- Liberty, 1066 W. Glebe: $3.85
Reliable ways to pay less
Beyond chasing the daily low, a few options tend to beat the local average consistently:
Warehouse clubs. Membership pumps are among the cheapest around. The closest Costco gas to Alexandria is at 7940 Richmond Highway; Costco sells Top Tier fuel and is open to members (and Costco Shop Card holders), though the pumps keep shorter hours than the store.
Grocery fuel points. Harris Teeter shoppers can earn fuel points that knock up to $1 per gallon off at Harris Teeter pumps and participating BP and Amoco stations, with bonus-point days during the week.
Retail fuel programs. Walmart runs a fuel-savings program at participating Exxon and Mobil stations, and Sam's Club members (and Walmart+ members paying through the app) can access club pump prices without stopping inside.
How Alexandria compares nationally
Virginia is a relative bargain right now. The statewide average sits around $3.90 a gallon — just under the national average — while a handful of states are paying far more, according to AAA's daily state averages.
The most expensive gas in the country is in California, averaging about $5.46 a gallon, with Hawaii close behind near $5.43 and Washington around $5. At the other end, Indiana has the cheapest gas in the nation at roughly $3.37 a gallon, followed by Mississippi and Texas in the mid-$3.50s. That's more than a $2 spread between the priciest and cheapest states.
A volatile year at the pump
The national average today is right around $4 a gallon, according to AAA — about 84 cents higher than a year ago, when it hovered near $3.16 in mid-July 2025. That's a roughly 27 percent jump year over year.
The path there was anything but steady. Prices opened 2026 at their lowest point in years — about $2.81 a gallon in early January — before conflict in the Middle East and volatility around the Strait of Hormuz pushed crude oil, and pump prices, sharply higher through the spring. The national average peaked at $4.56 on May 21, then eased over the early summer before ticking back up in July. From January's low to May's high, the average swung about $1.75 a gallon.
Simple ways to stretch a tank
You can save as much through how you drive as where you fill up. AAA highlights a few habits with outsized payoff:
- Ease off the speed. Aerodynamic drag climbs quickly above 50 mph, dragging fuel economy down with it.
- Drive smoothly. Hard acceleration and "jackrabbit" starts burn noticeably more fuel; accelerate gently and coast toward red lights instead of racing up and braking hard.
- Don't idle. If you'll be stopped more than a minute, switch off the engine.
- Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires cut mileage and wear out faster.
- Lighten up. Remove unnecessary cargo and take off unused roof and bike racks, which add drag.
- Skip premium unless required. For most vehicles, AAA finds premium fuel offers no benefit over regular — check your owner's manual.
For the latest national and state numbers, visit the AAA Fuel Prices site for real-time local prices, GasBuddy tracks Alexandria stations throughout the day.
