WASHINGTON — Gas prices continue to hover at near-record highs. The state of Maryland has already taken a gas tax holiday. Virginia is looking at one as well.
Beyond the gas tax, there are several other items priced into that gallon you buy, but the big-ticket part is cost of crude oil.
QUESTION:
What factors make up the price of a gallon of gas?
OUR SOURCES:
ANSWER:
A gallon of gas breaks down into several costs: price of crude oil, taxes, the cost of refining and the cost of distribution and marketing.
WHAT WE FOUND:
“The biggest single factor that drives changes in prices of gasoline is a change in the price of crude oil,” Mark Finley said. “And the price of crude oil is not controlled by the companies. It's set in a global marketplace as a result of global trends in demand and supply.”
“A little more than half of the price of the gasoline relates to the price of crude oil,” Ed Hirs said. “Now, of course, that percentage has been up a little bit here recently, as much as two-thirds of it.”
The EIA has those percentages broken down on its website. As of February 2022:
- Crude oil makes up about 61% of that total price.
- Oil refining makes up 14%.
- Taxes 14%.
- Distribution & marketing round out that last 11%.
This is all for the average gallon of gas in the US. But gas stations set their own prices, so it’ll vary from station to station.
How much does the gas station make off that gallon gas?
Our experts said it’s a lot less than you imagine. On average, gas stations make about 5 cents per gallon of gas sold.
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