Texas Gas Cost Calculator

Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S., covering over 268,000 square miles. Driving from one end to the other can cover 800+ miles — farther than Los Angeles to San Francisco. Planning fuel costs is essential for any Texas road trip, whether you are commuting between the Triangle cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin) or heading out to Big Bend or South Padre Island. If you are relocating to Texas, check out apartments in Dallas or rentals in Waco as your new home base.

Texas drivers benefit from some of the lowest gas prices in the country, thanks to the state's proximity to Gulf Coast refineries and a fuel tax of just 20 cents per gallon (compared to California's 68 cents). The average price hovers around $2.90 per gallon for regular unleaded, though it can fluctuate based on crude oil prices and seasonal demand.

This calculator uses real distances for 12 of the most common Texas routes and lets you compare costs across different vehicle types — from trucks at 18 MPG to hybrids at 45 MPG. You can also toggle EV mode to compare gasoline costs against electric vehicle charging costs using your local electricity rate.

Use cruise control on I-10 and I-35. Long straight highways in Texas are perfect for cruise control, which can improve fuel economy by 7-14% compared to variable speeds. The speed limit on many Texas highways is 75-80 mph, but dropping to 65 mph can save significant fuel since aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed.

Fill up at warehouse clubs or Buc-ee's. Costco, Sam's Club, H-E-B fuel stations, and Buc-ee's travel centers consistently offer gas at 10-30 cents below local averages. Buc-ee's locations along major interstates are popular road trip stops combining competitive fuel prices with food, clean restrooms, and supplies.

Avoid refueling near airports or in small towns off the interstate. Gas stations near airports and in remote areas often charge 30-50 cents more per gallon. Plan your fuel stops around cities along your route — especially along the I-35 corridor where competition keeps prices low. Once you have settled on a destination, search for Texas apartments near your new workplace or school.

Texas's EV charging infrastructure has grown rapidly, with Tesla Supercharger stations along all major highways and Electrify America stations at many Walmart locations. The I-35 corridor from Dallas to San Antonio has charging stops every 50-80 miles. However, West Texas and more rural areas still have gaps — plan your route carefully if driving an EV from San Antonio to El Paso or through the Big Bend region.

Home charging in Texas costs about $0.12-0.15/kWh, making an EV trip roughly 60% cheaper per mile than gasoline. Public DC fast chargers are more expensive at $0.30-0.50/kWh, but still competitive with gas for most vehicles. Use our calculator's EV mode to compare costs at your specific electricity rate.