Gas prices didn’t just rise in 2026; they spiked hard. The trigger was the Iran conflict that began in late February 2026. That conflict disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude jumped from around $60 a barrel to over $100.
iSeeCars tracked the fallout. They studied over 2.1 million three-year-old used vehicles sold in 2025. They combined each vehicle’s odometer data with EPA fuel economy ratings. Then they applied AAA’s average gas prices from January and April 2026.
Between January and April 2026, the national average annual fuel cost increased by $706. However, the impact varied considerably across states, with annual cost increases ranging from $487 to $1,029. These differences were influenced not only by fuel prices but also by variations in driving mileage.
States with higher annual mileage and SUV-heavy fleets got hit hardest. Below is a state-by-state ranking of the ten biggest increases. Each entry includes the dollar jump. Each also includes a vehicle snapshot for context.
1. Wyoming, Up $1,029
Wyoming tops the list by a wide margin. It’s the single worst state for fuel cost inflation. Average annual fuel costs rose from $1,837 in January to $2,866 in April 2026. That’s a jump of $1,029.
The reason isn’t pump prices alone. Wyoming has one of the lowest average fuel economy figures in the country, at 22.7 MPG. Wide-open highways encourage long commutes.
Trucks and SUVs dominate the state’s roads. This is the kind of vehicle common on Wyoming roads. Big trucks mean big fuel bills when prices jump.
2. Utah, Up $967
Utah lands in second place. Its drivers saw a $967 annual increase between January and April 2026. Utah’s terrain plays a role here. Long commutes across mountain valleys push mileage higher than average.
Nissan Armada drivers in several states, including Utah, saw some of the largest increases. Large three-row SUVs are common family vehicles there. That thirst adds up fast. A few months of higher gas prices translate into hundreds of extra dollars.
3. Arizona, Up $963
Arizona came in third nationally. Fuel costs rose $963, from $1,678 in January to $2,641 in April 2026. Only Wyoming and Utah saw bigger increases than Arizona. That’s a rough spot for desert commuters.
The Nissan Armada is Arizona’s biggest fuel-cost offender. Armada owners there average 18,479 miles a year. Those drivers spent $2,004 more on fuel this year alone. That’s nearly double the state’s average increase. Arizona’s sprawling suburbs mean long daily drives. Big engines and long commutes are a costly combination.
4. Idaho, Up $956
Idaho ranks fourth. Its annual fuel costs climbed $956 during the same four-month stretch. Idaho shares Wyoming and Utah’s rural driving patterns. Long rural routes push up total gallons burned each year.
Trucks are the default vehicle in much of the state. Farming and ranching communities rely on them daily. A truck like this covers serious ground. In Idaho, that ground adds up to real money at the pump.
Also Read: What a Pre-Purchase Inspection Reveals That a Test Drive Never Will
5. Mississippi, Up $947
Mississippi rounds out the top five. Its increase came in at $947. Mississippi also shows up on broader driving-cost lists. Annual fuel costs there run near $2,912, among the highest totals nationally due to longer average distances.
Gas prices themselves rose sharply too, up 27.1% from $2.69 to $3.42 per gallon year over year. That combination hurts twice over. Even a modest truck burns through gas over rural miles. Mississippi’s low pump prices don’t offset the distance driven.
6. Oregon, Up $922
Oregon comes in sixth. Fuel costs there rose $922 over the four-month window. Nissan Armada drivers in Oregon also ranked among the worst-hit by vehicle model. Oregon pairs high gas prices with long rural stretches east of the Cascades.
Oregon actually posted one of the smaller percentage increases nationally, at 13.3%. Yet the dollar impact stayed high because prices started rising. A full tank empties fast on long interstate drives. Oregon’s geography makes that a weekly reality for many.
7. Louisiana, Up $875
Louisiana ranks seventh. Its fuel-cost jump reached $875. Louisiana’s flat, spread-out geography pushes commute distances up. Industrial and rural work sites often sit far from residential areas.
Trucks remain the practical choice for many workers. That preference shows up clearly in the state’s fuel data. This truck is a common sight on Louisiana roads. Its V8 thirst mirrors the state’s fuel-cost jump directly.
8. Kentucky, Up $872
Kentucky lands eighth on the list. Its increase was $872 across the study period. Kentucky’s rural counties see long daily commutes. Manufacturing and logistics jobs often require highway travel.
Pickup trucks and midsize SUVs dominate registrations there. Both vehicle types post below-average fuel economy figures. Family-hauling SUVs like this are common in Kentucky. Their size makes them sensitive to any price spike.
9. Arkansas, Up $867
Arkansas ranks ninth. Fuel costs there increased by $867 over the same span. Arkansas mirrors its regional neighbors closely. Rural distances and truck-heavy fleets drive the numbers up.
Nearby Mississippi shows similar patterns, with total annual fuel costs among the highest in the country despite below-average gas prices. Arkansas fits that same regional story. Midsize trucks like this are popular across Arkansas. Even better fuel economy couldn’t fully offset the price spike.
10. Tennessee, Up $866
Tennessee completes the top ten. Its fuel-cost increase measured $866. Tennessee also produced the single biggest vehicle-level increase nationwide. Toyota Sequoia drivers there saw estimated annual fuel costs rise from $4,095 in January to $6,285 in April, a $2,190 jump.
That’s more than triple the state average. Large three-row SUVs proved especially costly this year. Despite hybrid assistance, the Sequoia is heavy and large. High mileage owners in Tennessee felt that weight at the pump.
Also Read: 10 Everyday Cars Cheapest to Insure in 2026
