Updated April 5, 2026 — Prices updated regularly from EIA data
Route • 8 states
About Interstate 40
Running 2,555 miles from Barstow, CA to Wilmington, NC, I-40 roughly follows the path of historic Route 66 across the American Southwest. The Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee sections offer very competitive fuel prices.
A 2-mile detour to save 20 cents per gallon on a 15-gallon fill-up saves $3. With a car getting 28 MPG, the detour uses 0.14 gallons. Detours above 3-4 miles for savings under 20 cents per gallon are generally not worthwhile.
The cheapest gas along Interstate 40 is generally found in Arkansas, where lower fuel taxes and proximity to refineries or pipelines keep prices down. Avoid fueling at highway-exit stations in California, where tourist premiums push prices 15-25 cents above the best nearby rates.
For a trip along Interstate 40, a vehicle averaging 25 MPG would use approximately 1 gallon per 25 miles. At current average prices along the route, budget approximately {perMileCost} cents per mile for fuel. Plan fill-ups in lower-price states whenever possible.
Yes — consistently. Highway-exit gas stations charge 10-25 cents more per gallon than stations just 1-2 miles off the interstate. Whenever possible, exit the highway and drive to a commercial area for competitively priced fuel.
Gas prices along Interstate 40 vary significantly by state due to different fuel tax rates. States like Texas (20 cents/gallon), Missouri (17 cents), and Oklahoma (20 cents) consistently offer the most affordable fuel. Pennsylvania (59 cents) and California (67 cents) are among the most expensive.