Tennessee gas prices keep climbing. Is this the highest they’ve ever been?

• Gas prices have risen by over $1 nationally following a conflict with Iran.
• Tennessee’s highest recorded average gas price was $4.64 per gallon on June 12, 2022.
• Recent gas prices in Tennessee have increased to $3.65 for regular as of March 24.

Gas prices remain a significant issue as the conflict with Iran persists, prompting the United States government and individual states to take action against the rising costs.

On Feb. 28, President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran, which the country then responded to by closing the Strait of Hormuz. This blocked about a fifth of the world’s oil from moving to global markets, including the United States.

Since the war began last month and the Strait was closed, gas prices across the country have risen by over $1, and in Tennessee, they have increased by $1.10. While these prices may seem exorbitant, it was only a few years ago that the entire nation saw its highest recorded gas prices.

Here’s the record for the highest gasoline price in Tennessee.

What is the highest price for gas in Tennessee?

According to the AAA gas price tracker, the highest recorded price for a gallon of regular gas was on June 12, 2022, at $4.64. Diesel hit its record high three days later at $5.64.

This is the recorded high for the state average; however, localities have different records, all established around the same time.

Here are the highest recorded prices for gas in Tennessee’s major cities:

• Chattanooga: $4.60 on June 10, 2022, for regular; $5.52 on June 14, 2022, for diesel.
• Clarksville: $4.71 on June 9, 2022, for regular; $5.71 on June 15, 2022, for diesel.
• Jackson: $4.69 on June 16, 2022, for regular; $5.70 on June 21, 2022, for diesel.
• Johnson City: $4.62 on June 10, 2022, for regular; $5.70 on June 11, 2022, for diesel.
• Kingsport: $4.60 on June 12, 2022, for regular; $5.66 on June 12, 2022, for diesel.
• Knoxville: $4.65 on Sept. 15, 2008, for regular; $5.66 on June 10, 2022, for diesel.
• Memphis: $4.65 on June 14, 2022, for regular; $5.60 on June 18, 2022, for diesel.
• Morristown: $4.63 on June 13, 2022, for regular; $5.67 on June 20, 2022, for diesel.
• Nashville: $4.68 on June 10, 2022, for regular; $5.68 on June 15, 2022, for diesel.

How high are gas prices in Tennessee now?

Here are the recently tracked dates for the prices of a gallon of gasoline in Tennessee:

• March 11: $3.20 for regular, $4.78 for diesel
• March 19: $3.59 for regular, $5 for diesel
• March 24: $3.65 for regular, $5.27 for diesel

A month ago, a few days before the United States and Israel initiated the war with Iran, regular gas was $2.55, and diesel was $3.40.

DeKalb County has the highest regular gasoline price at $3.86 on March 25. Hancock County has the lowest price at $3.50.

Of the state’s major metropolitan areas, Knoxville has the cheapest regular gas at $3.60. Chattanooga and Memphis follow at $3.62 and $3.64, respectively. Nashville has the highest price at $3.69.

What is the gas tax in Tennessee?

In the United States, there are two taxes added to gasoline when you go to fill up your vehicle. The first tax is the national tax, and the second is the state tax.

In the United States, the federal government collects a flat rate of 18.4 cents per gallon from residents in every state. This tax is included in the price seen at the pump.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the gasoline tax in Tennessee is 26 cents, effective July 1, 2019. For diesel fuel, the tax is 27 cents.

Tennessee House Democrats are urging a statewide gas and diesel tax holiday to lower pump prices. In a March 24 press release, State Representatives Bo Mitchell and John Ray Clemmons asked Governor Bill Lee and their Republican colleagues to set aside funding in the FY26-27 Budget Amendment currently being discussed for prompt tax relief for families.

Which states have the highest gas taxes?

All 50 states have a gas tax charged per gallon at the pump, but some states’ gas taxes are up to eight times those of others.

These are the states with the highest gas taxes as of September 2025:

• California: 70.92 cents per gallon
• Illinois: 66.4 cents per gallon
• Washington: 59.04 cents per gallon
• Pennsylvania: 58.7 cents per gallon
• Indiana: 54.5 cents per gallon

Conversely, these states have the lowest gas taxes in the United States:

• Alaska: 8.95 cents per gallon
• Hawaii: 18.5 cents per gallon
• New Mexico: 18.88 cents per gallon
• Arizona: 19 cents per gallon
• Oklahoma and Texas: 20 cents per gallon

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal and Tennessee. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.