Gas price varies by department in Guatemala, mainly due to transport costs from the Escuintla refinery and competition level between stations. This page shows typical regional variation.
Summary: Premium gas typically varies Q1.50-Q3.00 between the cheapest department (Guatemala/Escuintla) and most expensive (Petén). For current prices by department, see today’s gas price.
Typical variation by department (reference)
| Department | Typical Premium | Vs. National avg | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escuintla | Q40.20 | -Q0.80 | Near refinery |
| Guatemala | Q40.50 | -Q0.50 | High station competition |
| Sacatepéquez | Q40.80 | -Q0.20 | Near capital |
| Quetzaltenango | Q41.00 | Average | Regional hub |
| Chimaltenango | Q41.10 | +Q0.10 | Main highway |
| Mazatenango (Suchitepéquez) | Q41.20 | +Q0.20 | South coast hub |
| Cobán (Alta Verapaz) | Q41.50 | +Q0.50 | Distance from refinery |
| Huehuetenango | Q41.50 | +Q0.50 | Distance + mountain |
| Zacapa | Q41.30 | +Q0.30 | East hub |
| Jutiapa | Q41.50 | +Q0.50 | Border (sometimes higher) |
| Izabal (Puerto Barrios) | Q42.00 | +Q1.00 | Distance from refinery |
| Petén (Flores) | Q42.50 | +Q1.50 | Extreme distance |
Note: These are typical averages. MEM-published prices vary weekly. See current prices.
Why Petén is always most expensive
Petén is geographically far from the Escuintla refinery. Fuel travels:
- 350+ km by road (tanker truck)
- Crosses multiple departments
- Increases transport costs passed to consumers
Petén typically pays Q1.50-Q2.50 more per gallon than Guatemala. This adds Q200-Q400 yearly for an average vehicle.
Why Escuintla is cheapest
Escuintla houses the Texaco/Chevron refinery and is the main fuel entry point. Transport costs are minimal. Stations near the refinery occasionally have Q0.50-Q1.00 below national average.
Strategy for frequent drivers
If you regularly drive between departments:
- Fill in Guatemala/Escuintla before traveling to remote departments (Petén, Izabal, Huehuetenango)
- Don’t wait until you’re in expensive zone — Q1-Q2 difference per gallon over 15 gallons = Q15-Q30 saved per tank
- Apps like GasGuatemala show real-time station prices
Strategy for fleet operators
For transport companies with fleets:
- Negotiate wholesale prices with distributors (Texaco, Shell, Puma) — Q1-Q3/gallon discounts on volume
- Corporate fuel cards with 5-10% cashback
- Schedule routes to fill in cheap zones
For diaspora renting cars
If you rent a car and will travel to:
| Destination | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Pacaya | Fill in Guatemala before leaving |
| Petén (Tikal) | Definitely fill before leaving + in Cobán on return |
| Quetzaltenango | Any large station is fine |
| South coast | Escuintla has best prices |
| Border (Jutiapa, San Marcos) | Compare with next department — sometimes border is higher |
Related
- Today’s Gas Price — current national prices
- Price History — 2020-2026 trends
- Diesel vs Regular vs Premium — fuel differences
- Cost to Fill Tank — by car model
- Exchange Rate — affects international fuel price
