Gasoline prices continue to affect motorists across Arkansas, but drivers in Searcy are finding regular unleaded gasoline considerably cheaper than the statewide average.
A gas station price sign photographed in Searcy on Sunday, October 18, 2026, showed regular unleaded gasoline selling for $3.55 and 9/10 cents per gallon, commonly displayed as $3.55.
Diesel fuel was posted at $5.69 and 9/10 cents per gallon.
The photograph provides a confirmed local pump-price reading for the October 18 report.
According to AAA, Arkansas’s statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline on October 18 was approximately $3.91 per gallon.
That places the photographed Searcy gasoline price approximately 36 cents below the statewide average.
Searcy Gas Price Drops From Previous Report
Searcy’s photographed price of $3.55 represents a decrease of approximately 4 cents per gallon compared with the $3.59 price included in ArkansasRadio.com’s earlier regional gas-price graphic.
Although 4 cents may not appear significant, those savings can add up for motorists who purchase gasoline frequently.
At $3.55 per gallon, purchasing 15 gallons of regular gasoline would cost approximately $53.39, using the full posted price of $3.559.
The same amount at the statewide average of approximately $3.91 would cost about $58.72.
That represents savings of approximately $5.34 on a 15-gallon purchase.
Arkansas Gas Price Comparison for 9 Cities
ArkansasRadio.com has been tracking advertised gasoline prices in 9 communities across Central and North Central Arkansas.
The following comparison includes the new October 18 Searcy reading and previously reported prices for the other 8 communities.
- SEARCY — $3.55 — Verified October 18
- SHERWOOD — $3.71 — Earlier reported price
- CONWAY — $3.75 — Earlier reported price
- GREENBRIER — $3.77 — Earlier reported price
- CABOT — $3.81 — Earlier reported price
- NEWPORT — $3.84 — Earlier reported price
- BEEBE — $3.86 — Earlier reported price
- BATESVILLE — $3.88 — Earlier reported price
- HEBER SPRINGS — $3.92 — Earlier reported price
IMPORTANT: Only the Searcy price has been verified by the new October 18 photograph. The remaining prices are retained from the earlier regional report and may have changed.
These figures represent individual reported pump prices rather than citywide averages.
Searcy Leads Regional Price Comparison
Among the prices displayed in the ArkansasRadio.com comparison, Searcy has the lowest reported regular unleaded gasoline price at $3.55 per gallon.
Sherwood follows at $3.71, while Conway and Greenbrier show earlier reported prices of $3.75 and $3.77.
Cabot’s earlier reported price was $3.81, followed by Newport at $3.84 and Beebe at $3.86.
Batesville’s earlier reported price was $3.88, while Heber Springs was listed at $3.92.
The difference between the Searcy October 18 reading and the earlier Heber Springs reading is approximately 37 cents per gallon.
Because the observations were not all taken on the same day, that difference should not be interpreted as a confirmed October 18 price gap.
Arkansas Statewide Gas Prices Remain Elevated
AAA reported the following statewide average fuel prices for October 18, 2026:
- Regular Unleaded — $3.91
- Mid-Grade — $4.40
- Premium — $4.79
- Diesel — $5.92
The statewide regular gasoline average was approximately $4.08 a month earlier, meaning Arkansas motorists have seen average regular gasoline prices decrease by about 16 cents per gallon over the past month.
However, gasoline remains significantly more expensive than a year ago.
AAA reported Arkansas’s regular gasoline average at approximately $2.61 per gallon on the same date in 2025.
That places the current statewide average approximately $1.30 per gallon higher than a year earlier.
High Diesel Prices Affect Transportation Costs
Diesel fuel also remains expensive across Arkansas.
AAA reported an average diesel price of approximately $5.92 per gallon statewide on October 18.
The diesel price photographed in Searcy was $5.69 and 9/10 cents, or about 22 cents below the state average.
Higher diesel prices can increase operating expenses for trucking companies, agricultural producers and other businesses that rely heavily on diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
Transportation costs are an important factor for businesses moving food, merchandise and supplies throughout Arkansas.
Gas Prices Can Change Throughout the Day
Motorists should remember that gasoline prices can change without notice and may vary considerably between stations in the same community.
The lowest advertised price at 1 station does not necessarily represent the average price for an entire city.
Drivers are encouraged to compare posted pump prices before filling up.
ArkansasRadio.com will continue reporting gasoline prices and regional fuel-cost developments affecting motorists throughout Central and North Central Arkansas.
Source: AAA Gas Prices, October 18, 2026; locally photographed Searcy fuel-price sign, October 18, 2026; previous ArkansasRadio.com regional gas-price graphic.
AAA Arkansas Gas Prices: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AR
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