Gas Prices in Memphis Today

Memphis drivers are paying around $3.20 per gallon for regular unleaded as of mid-March 2026, about 52 cents below the national average of $3.72. Tennessee's low gas taxes and Memphis's position as a major transportation hub along the Mississippi River keep fuel costs consistently below most of the country.

Why Memphis Has Cheap Gas

Tennessee's gas tax is 26 cents per gallon, one of the lowest in the nation. But the real story for Memphis is logistics. The city sits at the intersection of multiple fuel distribution networks: Mississippi River barge traffic, Gulf Coast pipeline systems, and a major trucking and rail hub. Fuel barges moving up the Mississippi from Gulf Coast refineries supply the Mid-South at low transportation cost, keeping wholesale prices below markets that depend solely on pipeline or truck delivery.

Where to Find the Cheapest Gas in Memphis

Memphis has good station density throughout the metro, with the best prices typically found in the eastern suburbs and along the major highway corridors.

Search by ZIP code:

• Downtown Memphis, 38103, limited options near Beale Street and the riverfront, highest prices in the metro
• Midtown / Cooper-Young, 38104, moderate pricing, a few competitive stations along Union and Poplar
• East Memphis, 38117, suburban pricing along the Poplar corridor, good station competition
• Hickory Hill / Southeast Memphis, 38125, competitive pricing near Southaven border
• Arlington, 38002, east of the city, growing suburb with newer stations and competitive pricing
• Southaven, MS, 38671, just across the Mississippi state line, benefits from the lowest gas tax in the nation

The Mississippi Border Advantage

Southaven and the northern Mississippi suburbs are a genuine money-saving option for Memphis drivers. Mississippi's gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon is the lowest in the country, about 8 cents below Tennessee's already-low rate. The savings are modest per fill-up, but for drivers who commute near the state line, filling up on the Mississippi side adds up over time.

How the Iran Conflict Is Hitting Memphis

The global crude oil surge, driven by the Iran conflict and disruptions to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed Brent crude from around $70 to over $110 per barrel. That 20% disruption in global oil transit is reflected at Memphis pumps, where prices have climbed roughly 55–65 cents per gallon over the past month.

Memphis's barge access and low tax structure provide a buffer, but they can't fully insulate the market from a shock of this magnitude. The 26.9% national price surge is showing up locally, and analysts expect prices to remain elevated through spring as long as the Middle East situation persists.

Saving Money on Gas in Memphis

The best approach in the current high-price environment:

• Compare before you fill, Check Gas Price Check to find the cheapest station near your ZIP code
• Consider Southaven, If you're near the state line, Mississippi's lowest-in-the-nation gas tax makes a difference
• Kroger fuel points, Kroger has a strong Memphis presence, and their fuel rewards program can take 10–30 cents per gallon off at Kroger fuel centers
• Avoid I-40 exit stations, Highway-adjacent stations in Memphis carry a 15–20 cent convenience premium over stations a few blocks off the interstate

Memphis will continue to rank among the cheapest major metros for gas regardless of where global prices go. The combination of river logistics, low state taxes, and tri-state competition keeps the floor lower here than in most of the country.

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