Gas Prices Rise in Iowa as Crude Oil Costs Climb

Diesel and heating fuel costs show mixed trends across the state

Mar. 3, 2026 at 1:31am

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The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa climbed 14 cents over the past week, reaching $2.59 per gallon, according to AAA. The rise at the pump follows higher global crude oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude increasing $3.86 per barrel this week to $65.46. Diesel prices also moved higher across the state, while heating fuel costs showed mixed movement, with natural gas prices declining but propane and home heating oil prices increasing.

Why it matters

Fluctuations in gas, diesel, and heating fuel prices can significantly impact household budgets and the broader economy in Iowa, especially during the winter months when heating costs are a major expense. These price changes reflect broader trends in global energy markets and can be influenced by factors like supply, demand, and geopolitical events.

The details

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa climbed 14 cents over the past week, reaching $2.59 per gallon, according to AAA. Despite the weekly increase, prices remain 38 cents lower than they were a year ago. The national average for regular gasoline stood at $2.98 per gallon Wednesday, up 6 cents from last week. The rise at the pump follows higher global crude oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude increasing $3.86 per barrel this week to $65.46, while Brent crude rose $3.06 to $70.78. Diesel prices also moved higher across the state, with retail diesel averaging $3.53 per gallon in Iowa, up 13 cents from last week but still below the national average of $3.75. Heating fuel costs showed mixed movement, with natural gas prices declining 4 cents at the Henry Hub benchmark to $2.92 per million British thermal units, while propane averaged $1.61 per gallon statewide and home heating oil averaged $3.04 per gallon.

  • The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa climbed 14 cents over the past week.
  • One year ago, the average price of regular gasoline in Iowa was 38 cents higher than it is now.

The players

AAA

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The takeaway

The fluctuations in gas, diesel, and heating fuel prices in Iowa reflect the broader trends in global energy markets, which can have significant impacts on household budgets and the local economy. These price changes underscore the importance of monitoring energy costs and finding ways to manage them, especially during the winter months when heating expenses are a major concern for many Iowans.