Big-city drivers are finding gas is a lot cheaper next door in red states — here are the biggest discounts

If you live in a big city in a blue state, the cheapest gas around might be just over the state line.

With the national average hitting $4.52 per gallon this week, drivers who live near a state with lower gas taxes are now jumping over the border for a discount at the pump.

And often, that means going from a high-tax Democratic-led state to a lower-tax state where the government is either Republican or split.

The prime example is California, which boasts not only the highest gas prices in the nation at $6.16 per gallon, but also the highest state gas tax at 61 cents a gal­lon.

California res­id­ents are also charged an addi­tional 34 cents to 44 cents per gal­lon for emis­sions fees and cli­mate pro­grams.

In the Golden Gate State’s San Bernardino County, where gas is at $6.12, drivers are consciously making the trip to the nearby Mojave, Arizona, across the border to fill up at only $4.83 a gallon.

A big contributor to the price difference is that Arizona charges just 18 cents per gallon in tax.

Blue states have also led the way in raising their gas taxes. California’s state excise tax was 30 cents a decade ago — it’s now nearly twice that.

In Illinois, the tax went from 19 cents per gallon in 2016 to 48 cents today.

New York’s excise tax has remained flat — but other duties have increased.

The hunt for better prices across state lines are also happening between deep blue Chicago and rosy red Indiana — with the Windy City suffering prices that top $5 a gallon.

Illinois has a state motor fuel tax rate of about 47 cents per gallon — along with steep sales tax on top.

But just a few miles across the border in Lake County, Indiana, prices are significantly cheaper at $4.72 per gallon.

With a lower tax rate, there are chances to find even better deals available in Indiana if Chicago drivers are willing to hunt for bargains.

“I filled up in Indiana at $3.94 a gallon, and it’s cheaper than my local station in Chicago at $5.29,” Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy told The Post. “I saved $15 by not waiting until I got home to fill up on gas.”

Ohioans, who have a fuel tax rate of $0.385 are also eyeing Indiana for cheaper gas, with Kentucky also serving as a possible alternative for gas in the tri-state area, as it boasts an even lower tax rate at $0.26.

Cincinnati is seeing higher-than-average gas prices, with Hamilton County at $4.75 per gallon on Monday, while Kentucky’s Harrison County is enjoying a relatively low $4.17 per gallon, according to AAA.

But Americans don’t have to solely run from blue state to red state to enjoy much-needed relief at the pump, as evident by the notable differences in New York and New Jersey.

Drivers in Manhattan are facing as much as $4.96 per gallon, according to AAA.

New York City adds state and local sales tax onto gas — in addition to MTA surcharges and a state excise tax.

But just a couple of miles across the river in New Jersey’s Hudson County, the average price per gallon is at $4.52, with residents in the Garden State only dealing with a fuel tax rate of $0.11 a gallon, less than half of New York’s.

The same is being seen in Connecticut, where drivers in Hartford County are facing prices at $4.59 a gallon, but can save significantly across the border in Massachusetts’ Hampden County, where gas is only at $4.34 per gallon.

For comparison, Connecticut has a whopping 52 cents tax on fuel, whereas Massachusetts has less than half at only 24 cents per gallon.

Robert Morassi, who lives in Hampden but works in Hartford, said he never fills up while he’s out, instead waiting until he gets home, where prices are cheaper.

“I live in Mass., why would I pay that extra money in Connecticut? No, no,” he told local WFSB.

These differences will be key as gas prices remain high while the summer travel season approaches.

“The rule is to save at least 1 cent per gallon for every extra mile that you’re going out of your way to drive,” De Haan said.

GasBuddy, which tries to guide drivers to the closest and cheapest station, sees an average of 12 million users every month, with that number doubled in the last 11 weeks as Americans try to find the best deals amid the war in Iran, De Haan said.

“If you’re going to be on the road this summer, I urge you to shop around and look for the best prices, because it’s going to make all the difference,” he added.