Minnesota vs South Dakota gas prices
Regular gas is $0.04 a gallon cheaper in Minnesota — $0.67 on a 15-gallon fill-up. The two share a border, so that gap is worth knowing before you cross it.
South Dakota| Grade | MN | SD | Diff. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | $3.95 | $4.00 | $0.04MN | Minnesota |
| Midgrade | $4.39 | $4.19 | $0.20SD | South Dakota |
| Premium | $4.88 | $4.71 | $0.17SD | South Dakota |
| Diesel | $5.07 | $4.90 | $0.17SD | South Dakota |
Where the $0.04 gap actually comes from
None of it is tax. This is the case people assume never happens: South Dakota is dearer at the pump while taxing a gallon $0.02 less than Minnesota. The whole gap is the cost of the fuel itself — refinery proximity, pipeline access and state blend rules — and the tax difference is quietly shrinking it.
Fuel, refining, distribution and marginFederal and state taxes Pre-tax figures are estimates — see the note below.
What the gap is worth
Based on today’s $0.04 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.
Other comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is gas cheaper in Minnesota or South Dakota?
Regular gas is cheaper in Minnesota, at $3.95 a gallon against $4.00 in South Dakota — a gap of $0.04, or 1.1%. On a 15-gallon fill-up that is $0.67. Figures are AAA daily state averages for 2026-08-02.
Why is gas more expensive in South Dakota?
Not because of tax — South Dakota actually levies $0.02 a gallon less than Minnesota. The whole $0.04 gap, and more, is the cost of the fuel itself: refinery proximity, pipeline access and state fuel-blend rules. Tax policy is narrowing this gap rather than causing it.
Is diesel cheaper in Minnesota or South Dakota?
Diesel is cheaper in South Dakota at $4.90 a gallon, against $5.07 in Minnesota — $0.17 a gallon apart. Note that this is the opposite way round from regular gas, because the two states tax the two fuels differently.
Is it worth crossing from South Dakota into Minnesota to fill up?
If you are already near the line, yes: a 15-gallon fill saves about $0.67. Driving out of your way for it rarely pays — at $4.00 a gallon and 25 mpg, a 2-mile round trip would eat the whole saving in fuel alone, before your time.