Gas Prices Drop Nationally, Texas Faces Record Costs This October

The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline experienced a decrease of 2 cents on October 31, 2026, reported Cleveland.com, marking a notable drop in fuel costs just before the end of the month ¹. However, in Texas, residents are facing a different reality, with October 2026 poised to be the most expensive October on record for gas prices, with an anticipated statewide average of around $3.81 per gallon ².

San Angelo, a city in Runnels County, saw its average gas price drop to $3.67 per gallon, a significant reduction from the previous week’s average of $3.92. Despite this decrease, the cost remains notably higher compared to the same period last year, with San Angeloans paying 96 cents more than they did in October 2025 ².

Texas, known for its fluctuating energy landscape, currently boasts a statewide average of $3.70 per gallon, reflecting a blend of regional and national market dynamics ². This figure places Texas among the sixteen states where the average price for a gallon of gas is below $4.00, offering some relief to drivers in these regions ².

Within the Lone Star State, there is considerable variation in gas prices across different metropolitan areas. El Paso stands out with the highest average price at $4.11 per gallon, while Sherman-Denison holds the distinction of having the lowest average price among major cities, at $3.46 per gallon ². These disparities highlight the localized impact of pricing trends within Texas.

The overall increase in Texas’s average gas price this October, compared to the previous year, underscores a broader trend of rising costs. The October 2026 average price is $1.16 higher than the October 2025 average, indicating a substantial jump in expenses for Texans over the past twelve months ².

What We Know

• The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline decreased by 2 cents on October 31, 2026 ¹
• October 2026 is expected to be the most expensive October on record for Texas gas prices, with an average statewide price of about $3.81 ²
• The current statewide gas price average in Texas is $3.70 per gallon ²
• San Angelo's average gas price is $3.67 per gallon, down 25 cents from a week ago but still 96 cents more expensive than this time last year ²
• The October 2026 average price is $1.16 higher than the October 2025 average price ²
• Texas is one of 16 states with average gas prices under $4 a gallon ²
• El Paso has the highest average gas price among major metropolitan areas in Texas at $4.11 per gallon ²
• Sherman-Denison has the lowest average gas price among major metropolitan areas in Texas at $3.46 per gallon ²