In October 2026, regular gasoline cost an average of 189.8 cents a litre in Quebec. The cheapest was in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (178.2 cents, 11.6 cents below the average), then Outaouais (182.9 cents) and Centre-du-Québec (186.0 cents). The most expensive was in Nord-du-Québec (209.1 cents, 19.3 cents above), then Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (196.9 cents) and Abitibi-Témiscamingue (194.8 cents). According to the Régie de l'énergie, these gaps come mainly from the cost of transport and the retailers' margin, which vary from one region to another.
1. How this ranking works
This ranking compares one thing only: the average posted price of regular gasoline in each of Quebec's 17 administrative regions, in October 2026, according to the average price tables of the Régie de l'énergie. It is the pump price, taxes included, in cents a litre. Lower is better. In these tables, Nord-du-Québec does not include Nunavik. The Régie publishes these figures in French only.
For each region, we show the gap with the Quebec average for the same month. The Régie calculates this average and weights it by the number of gas stations operating in each region. The last column gives the same gap for the whole of 2025, taken from the 2025 annual table: it shows whether a region's gap is usual or temporary.
The Régie's tables were updated on November 2, 2026, and the Régie updates them once a month. We update this ranking each month. We receive no payment from oil companies or retailers.
2. The October 2026 ranking
In October 2026, the Quebec average was 189.8 cents a litre. Gasoline was cheapest in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, at 178.2 cents, and most expensive in Nord-du-Québec, at 209.1 cents: a gap of 30.9 cents. The three cheapest regions are the same as in 2025, and Nord-du-Québec was also the most expensive region in 2025. Gaps are in cents a litre: a negative number means cheaper than the Quebec average.
| Rank | Region | Average price, October 2026 (¢/L) | Gap with the Quebec average, October 2026 | Gap with the Quebec average, year 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean | 178.2 | -11.6 | -9.8 |
| 2 | Outaouais | 182.9 | -6.9 | -7.0 |
| 3 | Centre-du-Québec | 186.0 | -3.8 | -3.0 |
| 4 | Montérégie | 187.4 | -2.4 | +0.5 |
| 5 | Lanaudière | 189.6 | -0.2 | -1.4 |
| 6 | Mauricie | 190.0 | +0.2 | -1.6 |
| 7 | Laurentides | 190.4 | +0.6 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Estrie | 190.5 | +0.7 | -0.1 |
| 9 | Chaudière-Appalaches | 191.2 | +1.4 | +0.2 |
| 10 | Capitale-Nationale | 191.3 | +1.5 | +0.9 |
| 11 | Bas-Saint-Laurent | 193.4 | +3.6 | +1.2 |
| 12 | Laval | 193.6 | +3.8 | +5.4 |
| 13 | Montréal | 193.9 | +4.1 | +5.6 |
| 14 | Côte-Nord | 194.4 | +4.6 | -0.6 |
| 15 | Abitibi-Témiscamingue | 194.8 | +5.0 | +4.6 |
| 16 | Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine | 196.9 | +7.1 | +5.3 |
| 17 | Nord-du-Québec (excluding Nunavik) | 209.1 | +19.3 | +16.7 |
3. Why prices are not the same everywhere
The cost of buying the gasoline is the same for every region: the Régie uses the minimum price at the Montréal loading rack. Together with taxes, this cost makes up more than 90% of the pump price, according to the Régie's 2025 annual report. So the gaps between regions come mainly from transport, the retailers' margin and some local taxes.
Transport costs more far from the loading racks. In 2025, the Régie estimated this cost at $0.0656 a litre in Nord-du-Québec and $0.0547 in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, compared with $0.0052 in Laval and $0.0055 in Montréal, where retailers are close to the Montréal racks.
The retailers' estimated margin also varies. In 2025, it averaged $0.09 a litre in Quebec, $0.23 in Nord-du-Québec, the highest, and $0.04 in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, the lowest. The Régie considers the situation in Nord-du-Québec worrying and will review how it calculates the price components for that region.
In Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, gasoline has usually cost $0.10 a litre less than the Quebec average since 2024. According to the Régie, this seems to be explained by a price war that started in the Chicoutimi and La Baie and the Jonquière areas.
The provincial fuel tax is $0.192 a litre, but it is reduced for gas stations near Ontario, New Brunswick and the United States, depending on their distance from the border. It can also be raised or reduced in the territory of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) and in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine. The Régie notes that the areas next to Ontario generally have prices below the Quebec average.
The Régie's report does not explain why Montréal and Laval are above the average, even though transport costs the least there. So we do not offer an explanation.
Finally, the floor price for gasoline was abolished on June 7, 2025. According to the Régie, this had a slight effect on average prices in Capitale-Nationale and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, but it seems to have widened the gaps between the areas of Capitale-Nationale.
4. What this ranking means for you
This ranking gives an order of magnitude, not today's price. For a 50-litre fill-up, the October 2026 gap between Nord-du-Québec and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean comes to about $15.45, by our calculation: 50 litres times 30.9 cents, based on the Régie's average prices. Between Montréal and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, it is about $7.85.
To see recent prices in your area, the Régie publishes a dynamic survey of regular gasoline prices, by region and sub-region, and a daily survey every day before 10 a.m. Both are in French.
Since April 1, 2026, the law requires retailers to make their selling prices available, in real time, on a web platform run by the Régie, according to the Régie's public notice. Stations that sell less than 500,000 litres a year or that are located north of the 55th parallel are exempt.
If you are choosing a region to settle in, the price of gasoline is only one part of your budget: compare it with the rest of your expenses.
5. Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about gasoline prices in Quebec's regions.
Does the ranking price include taxes?
Yes. It is the price posted at the pump, which includes taxes, according to the Régie's annual report.
Why is Nunavik not in the ranking?
The Régie's tables give Nord-du-Québec without Nunavik. We use the regions as the Régie publishes them.
How often is the ranking updated?
The Régie updates its historical data once a month. We check its tables each month and change this ranking when a new month is published.
Why is gasoline so expensive in Nord-du-Québec?
For 2025, the Régie estimates that this region has the highest transport cost and the highest retailers' margin in Quebec: $0.0656 and $0.23 a litre. It plans to review its calculations for this region.
Where can I see today's gasoline price?
The Régie publishes a daily survey of regular gasoline prices every day before 10 a.m., and a dynamic survey by region and sub-region.
6. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Buying a car in Quebec — the price of gasoline adds to the cost of a used or new car.
- Car insurance in Quebec — the driver's other regular expense.
- Public transit in Quebec — an alternative to the car in cities.
7. Official sources
Author's note: This ranking shows where gasoline costs the most and the least on average, and what the Régie says about it. Before a long trip or a move, also look at the recent prices in your area.
