Filling Up on Gas Is Cheapest on Saturdays in This State Only
Gas prices are unpredictable, annoying and — unless you're driving an EV — basically unavoidable. Most Americans still need to fill up regularly just to get to work, which makes gas one of the trickiest essentials to budget for.
There are some real ways to cut the cost: a warehouse club membership, a solid gas rewards credit card or simply knowing which day of the week prices tend to dip in your state. That last one might sound made up, but it's backed by data and the day varies depending on where you live.
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A new study by Delancey Street crunched daily GasBuddy pricing across all 50 states to find each state's cheapest fill-up day. Most states save the most on Monday or Sunday. Only one state bucks the trend entirely with a Saturday discount: Nebraska.
So, how much is gas in the Cornhusker State on average right now, and what factors go into the cost of fuel there?
The Average Cost of Gas in This State — and How It Compares to the National Average
As of June 30, 2026, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline in Nebraska is $3.60, according to AAA. This is slightly lower than the national average of $3.84.
There are a few reasons why gas costs this much (no more, no less) in Nebraska. First, there’s the fact that Nebraska gasoline taxes are moderate which keeps prices at the pump from soaring above the national average. Compare this to a state like California with the highest gasoline taxes in the country and where a gallon of gas averages at $5.43.
Nebraska also has the advantage of being close to a few major refineries in the Midwest, so the cost of transporting fuel to gas stations isn’t particularly expensive. Lastly, Nebraska uses conventional gasoline, which is cheaper to refine and distribute than specialty blends that states like California rely on.
What Makes Saturday So Special for Gas Prices in This State?
So, what’s the story here? We did some research and found that the explanation is likely a matter of gas stations practicing price-cycle timing.
In many Midwestern states, including Nebraska, gas stations may follow a weekly price cycle. This is essentially a competition wherein one gas station raises its prices on, say, Monday, and neighboring stations respond by raising their prices. Over the course of a few days, gas stations gradually lower their prices by a few cents to hone their edge over rivals.
By the time Saturday rolls around, competition is fiercest and prices are lowest. The cycle then resets and prices go back up on Wednesday, which the Delancey study revealed is the most expensive day of the week to buy gas in Nebraska.
If you're living in Nebraska (or in any state really), taking the time to consider the best day of the week to fill up can save you real money.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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