Gas prices in Maryland ticked upward in the week ending August 4, 2025, with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reaching $3.19, a 9-cent increase from the previous week, according to data from AAA. This 2.8% rise reflects a broader national trend, yet prices remain 22 cents lower than a year ago, offering some relief for Southern Maryland drivers. Diesel prices also rose, hitting $3.86 per gallon, up 10 cents or 2.5% from the prior week, and 7 cents higher than last year. For residents of St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties, where commuting to work or weekend trips to Chesapeake Bay are common, these shifts impact household budgets and local businesses alike.
The week’s uptick follows a period of relative stability, with Maryland’s gas prices climbing 7 cents higher than a month ago, when they averaged $3.12. Despite this increase, the state’s drivers are paying significantly less than the historical high of $5.02 per gallon recorded on June 14, 2022. Diesel, critical for the region’s trucking and agricultural sectors, also remains well below its peak of $5.99 from June 11, 2022. The data, compiled by AAA and reported by Stacker, underscores the volatility of fuel markets, influenced by global oil supply, regional demand, and economic factors like inflation.
Across Maryland’s metro areas, gas prices vary, reflecting local taxes, distribution costs, and market dynamics. Washington, Maryland, tops the list at $3.22 per gallon, followed closely by Cumberland at $3.20. Bowie-St. Charles and Baltimore both average $3.19, while Annapolis ($3.18), Salisbury ($3.17), Frederick ($3.15), and Hagerstown ($3.08) round out the state’s metro rankings. Hagerstown’s lower prices offer a slight advantage for drivers in Western Maryland, but Southern Maryland residents in areas like Waldorf face costs closer to the state average. These variations matter for local commuters, whether heading to jobs in Prince George’s County or shopping in Annapolis.
Nationally, Maryland’s $3.19 average sits above the cheapest states, where Mississippi leads at $2.71 per gallon, followed by Oklahoma ($2.73) and Texas ($2.75). The national average gas price, reported at $3.15 on July 31, 2025, by AAA, suggests Maryland drivers pay slightly more than the typical American. Diesel’s national average of $3.47, as noted by GasBuddy on December 16, 2024, also shows Maryland’s $3.86 as relatively high, impacting industries like fishing and transport in Southern Maryland’s coastal communities.
Several factors drive the recent price increase. Rising crude oil prices, briefly surpassing $70 per barrel in late July, have pressured pump prices, according to GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan. Seasonal demand, as families in Southern Maryland take late-summer trips, also plays a role. However, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects gas prices could average $3.20 per gallon in 2025, a slight dip from 2024’s $3.31, offering hope for stabilization. Maryland’s gas tax, one of the higher in the nation at 47 cents per gallon, continues to shape prices, funding road improvements in places like Leonardtown and La Plata.
For Southern Maryland drivers, saving at the pump is critical. Shopping around for the cheapest stations—often found through apps like GasBuddy, which reported Maryland’s lowest price at $2.63 on August 3—can make a difference. The EIA notes that U.S. gasoline consumption reached 137 billion gallons in 2023, and with Maryland’s active tourism and commuting culture, local drivers feel the pinch of every price shift.
While Maryland’s gas prices are down 6.5% from last year, the recent weekly increase signals caution. For Southern Maryland’s economy, reliant on agriculture, tourism, and small businesses, sustained high fuel costs could raise prices for goods and services. As the EIA forecasts a potential drop to $3.00 per gallon by 2026, residents can look forward to possible relief, but for now, the region navigates a delicate balance of rising costs and economic resilience.