Iowa vs Wisconsin gas prices

Regular gas is $0.14 a gallon cheaper in Iowa — $2.10 on a 15-gallon fill-up. The two share a border, so that gap is worth knowing before you cross it.

Iowa

$3.83

regular, per gallon

$0.14 cheaper

Wisconsin

$3.97

regular, per gallon

AAA daily state averages · 2026-08-02

Every grade · USD per gallon

Grade	IA	WI	Diff.	Cheaper
Regular	$3.83	$3.97	$0.14IA	Iowa
Midgrade	$4.11	$4.54	$0.43IA	Iowa
Premium	$4.66	$5.13	$0.47IA	Iowa
Diesel	$4.98	$5.05	$0.07IA	Iowa

Where the $0.14 gap actually comes from

14% of it is tax. Wisconsin charges $0.02 more per gallon in federal and state taxes than Iowa. The remaining $0.12 is a real difference in what the fuel, refining and distribution cost — refinery proximity, pipeline access and state fuel-blend rules.

Iowa$3.33 fuel + $0.49 tax = $3.83

Wisconsin$3.45 fuel + $0.51 tax = $3.97

Fuel, refining, distribution and marginFederal and state taxes Pre-tax figures are estimates — see the note below.

See how all 50 states tax a gallon →

What the gap is worth

One 15-gallon fill

$2.10

saved in Iowa

A year of weekly fills

$109.20

saved in Iowa

10,000 miles at 25 mpg

$56.00

saved in Iowa

Based on today’s $0.14 per-gallon difference, which moves week to week. Use the fuel cost calculator for your own mileage and vehicle.

Prices by metro area

State averages hide a lot. These are the cheapest metros AAA reports on each side.

Iowa · cheapest metros

Wisconsin · cheapest metros

Other comparisons

illinois vs iowa illinois vs wisconsin iowa vs minnesota iowa vs missouri iowa vs nebraska iowa vs south dakota michigan vs wisconsin minnesota vs wisconsin

Frequently asked questions

Is gas cheaper in Iowa or Wisconsin?

Regular gas is cheaper in Iowa, at $3.83 a gallon against $3.97 in Wisconsin — a gap of $0.14, or 3.7%. On a 15-gallon fill-up that is $2.10. Figures are AAA daily state averages for 2026-08-02.

Why is gas more expensive in Wisconsin?

14% of the $0.14 gap is tax rather than the cost of the fuel. Wisconsin levies $0.02 more per gallon in federal and state taxes; the remaining $0.12 is a genuine difference in what the fuel, refining and distribution cost.

Is diesel cheaper in Iowa or Wisconsin?

Diesel is cheaper in Iowa at $4.98 a gallon, against $5.05 in Wisconsin — $0.07 a gallon apart.

Is it worth crossing from Wisconsin into Iowa to fill up?

If you are already near the line, yes: a 15-gallon fill saves about $2.10. Driving out of your way for it rarely pays — at $3.97 a gallon and 25 mpg, a 7-mile round trip would eat the whole saving in fuel alone, before your time.