Des Moines, IA
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LiveUpdated Jun 8
Gas prices near 50313
Des Moines, IA · IA average $4.08/gal
Finding cheap gas in Des Moines (50313)
North Des Moines centers on Highland Park and Oak Park, historic neighborhoods sitting on a plateau a few miles north of downtown, with their old business district strung along Sixth Avenue and Euclid. This is a settled, residential part of the city, so the fuel action concentrates along the main avenues rather than in the side streets.
Sixth Avenue and the Euclid Avenue corridor carry most of the through-traffic up here, and that is where the everyday stations cluster and compete. Drivers connecting up to I-235 or the north-side commercial pockets will find the better-priced pumps along those busier arterials.
It is generally worth comparing a couple of the high-traffic stations on Euclid before settling, since the smaller neighborhood pumps deeper into Highland Park and Oak Park rarely beat them on price. The volume players on the main roads tend to post the sharper regular-grade numbers, and grocery fuel discounts tied to the larger north-side stores can stretch the savings further on a full tank.
Nearby ZIP codes in Des Moines, IA
How to save more on gas in Des Moines
1. Use warehouse clubs
Costco and Sam’s Club typically price 15-25 cents per gallon below nearby stations. Membership pays for itself within a few fill-ups.
2. Fill up early in the week
Stations often raise prices Thursday for weekend demand. Fill up Monday through Wednesday to avoid the lift.
3. Keep tires properly inflated
Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent at current prices. Check pressure once a month.
4. Check back tomorrow
Prices can shift 10-20 cents overnight during volatile markets. A quick check before you leave home avoids paying yesterday’s spike.
5. Pay cash at split-pricing stations
Stations with cash and credit split pricing typically save an average of 10 cents per gallon when you pay cash.
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About gas prices in Iowa
Iowa is Casey's General Store country, with hundreds of locations across the state that typically run among the cheapest pump prices in the Midwest. The state gas tax is around 30 cents per gallon, plus Iowa's ethanol-friendly market promotes E15 and E85 blends that often run 10 to 30 cents below regular unleaded for compatible vehicles. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport see the most competitive pricing thanks to Casey's, Kum & Go, Hy-Vee Fuel, and Costco competing for membership cards. Rural Iowa cooperative stations (Co-op and FS Energy) are often surprisingly competitive due to direct grain-and-fuel distribution relationships.