Gas Prices in Richmond Today
Richmond drivers are paying around $3.30 per gallon for regular unleaded as of mid-March 2026 — comfortably below the national average of $3.72. Virginia's position along the Colonial Pipeline, moderate gas taxes, and competitive station density across the Richmond metro all contribute to pricing that undercuts most of the Eastern Seaboard. Even as the Iran conflict pushes global crude prices to levels not seen in years, Richmond remains a relative bargain for East Coast drivers.
Why Richmond Gas Is Affordable
The Colonial Pipeline — the largest refined products pipeline in the United States — runs directly through Virginia on its route from Houston to the New York Harbor. Richmond sits squarely along this corridor, getting direct access to Gulf Coast refined product without the markup that accumulates as fuel moves north to DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
Virginia's gas tax is 28.7 cents per gallon — moderate by East Coast standards. Maryland charges 47 cents, Pennsylvania over 61 cents. Virginia hits a sweet spot without the punishing rates that inflate Mid-Atlantic corridor prices. Richmond also avoids the special fuel blend requirements affecting some Northeast metros.
Where to Find the Cheapest Gas in Richmond
The Richmond metro has solid station competition, with the best prices along suburban commercial corridors.
Search by ZIP code:
- Downtown / Shockoe — 23219 — central city, moderate prices, fewer stations
- The Fan / Carytown — 23220 — popular urban neighborhoods, slightly higher prices
- South Richmond / Midlothian Turnpike — 23225 — commercial corridor with competitive pricing
- Glen Allen — 23059 — northern suburb, Short Pump retail corridor, good competition
- Midlothian — 23112 — southwest suburban growth area, newer stations
- Chesterfield — 23832 — southern suburbs, warehouse club fuel available
- Keeping a tire pressure gauge in your glove box helps maintain proper inflation — underinflated tires waste up to 3% of your fuel.
- Running a fuel system cleaner through your tank once a season keeps injectors clean and your engine running efficiently.
The Iran Conflict and Colonial Pipeline Markets
The US-Iran conflict that escalated in early March 2026 has pushed Brent crude from around $70 to over $110 per barrel. Strait of Hormuz disruptions threaten roughly 20% of global oil transit, and the national average has surged 74 cents in a single month — a 26.9% gain.
Richmond's exposure is moderated by the Colonial Pipeline's connection to Gulf Coast refineries processing primarily domestic crude. Permian Basin and Eagle Ford production feeding Houston-area refineries is not directly dependent on Middle Eastern crude transiting the Strait. This domestic supply chain gives Colonial Pipeline markets — including Richmond — a partial buffer against global price shocks. Prices are up, just not as dramatically as in markets with less domestic insulation.
The I-95 Corridor Fill-Up Strategy
Richmond sits in a favorable position along I-95. Prices here are consistently 20-35 cents cheaper than in the DC/Northern Virginia market to the north, and the gap grows as you continue toward Baltimore. For drivers traveling the East Coast corridor, Richmond is a smart fill-up point rather than waiting for stations further north.
Wawa and Sheetz: The Virginia Fuel Wars
Richmond sits at the front line of the Wawa-Sheetz convenience store war. Both chains use fuel pricing as a customer acquisition tool, pricing aggressively to draw drivers in. Where Wawa and Sheetz stations face each other — which happens frequently across the Richmond metro — prices get pushed to the lowest levels in the area.
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