The historical gas price in Guatemala correlates directly with the international oil market, modulated by the USD/GTQ exchange rate and local taxes. This page tracks trends so you can anticipate movements and plan fuel expenses.
Summary: Premium gas has fluctuated between Q32-Q44 per gallon over the last 6 years. Regular follows similar patterns 2-3 quetzales cheaper. Diesel, formerly cheapest, has closed the gap with regular due to taxes.
Annual average (Premium gallon)
| Year | Annual avg | Min | Max | Key events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Jan-Apr) | ~Q41.00 | Q39.50 | Q42.30 | Relative stability |
| 2025 | Q40.50 | Q37.20 | Q43.80 | Middle East tension |
| 2024 | Q42.10 | Q38.50 | Q45.20 | Energy crisis peaks |
| 2023 | Q41.80 | Q39.00 | Q44.50 | Post-pandemic inflation |
| 2022 | Q43.20 | Q35.50 | Q46.80 | Record year — Ukraine war |
| 2021 | Q33.50 | Q30.20 | Q37.80 | Post-pandemic recovery |
| 2020 | Q29.80 | Q25.50 | Q34.20 | Pandemic crash |
Fuel types — typical differences
| Fuel | Typical price Q/gallon | Vs. Premium | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium (95 octane) | Q41.00 | — | Modern, high-compression vehicles |
| Regular (87 octane) | Q39.80 | -Q1.20 | Standard vehicles |
| Diesel | Q38.80 | -Q2.20 | Trucks, SUVs, diesel engines |
Note: In 2010-2015 diesel was 30% cheaper than regular. Tax policy has closed the gap.
Seasonal patterns
Historically cheaper months:
- February: post-peak season, low demand
- November: pre-Christmas peak, medium demand
Historically more expensive months:
- June-August: high global demand + hurricane season (affects Gulf refineries)
- December: Christmas demand peak + travel
Impact of exchange rate
Each quetzal above/below Q7.80 per USD moves gas price approximately Q0.40 per gallon. Quetzal devaluation = more expensive gas, even if international oil is stable.
What does NOT affect the price in Guatemala
- Day of the week: prices change weekly, not daily
- Time of day: single price per station all day
- Specific station (except border zones): prices are regulated, Q0.10-Q0.30 variation between same-brand stations
To plan fuel expenses
If you spend regularly on fuel (truckers, Uber drivers, frequent travelers):
- Keep 30-50 gallons storage if you have a tank (legal up to certain amounts)
- Fill on Tuesday-Wednesday (prices update Mondays, better inventory quality)
- Apps like GasGuatemala show real-time prices by station
For US-based diaspora — fuel cost for visits
If you frequently visit Guatemala and rent a car:
| Vehicle size | Gallons/100km | Cost Q/100km (at Q41) |
|---|---|---|
| Compact (1.4L) | ~5-6 gal | Q205-Q246 |
| Midsize (2.0L) | ~7-8 gal | Q287-Q328 |
| SUV (2.5L) | ~9-11 gal | Q369-Q451 |
| Large pickup | ~12-14 gal | Q492-Q574 |
Related
- Today’s Gas Price — current national prices
- Price by Department — regional variation
- Diesel vs Regular vs Premium — which fuel suits you
- Cost to Fill Tank — calculation by model
- Power Outages — energy related
