Gas Prices Drop Nationwide Ahead of Record Thanksgiving Travel
The national average for regular gas has reached its lowest level since 2021, easing costs for millions of holiday travelers.
- The national average gas price fell to $3.01 per gallon, marking a six-week decline and the lowest level since May 2021, according to GasBuddy and AAA.
- Approximately 72 million Americans are expected to travel by car this Thanksgiving, a record high, with AAA projecting over 79.9 million total travelers across all modes of transportation.
- California and Hawaii remain the states with the highest gas prices, averaging $4.37 and $4.53 per gallon, respectively, while Oklahoma has the lowest at $2.43 per gallon.
- Experts attribute the price drop to lower demand, seasonal trends, increased oil production, and Thanksgiving promotions, though rising tensions in Ukraine have caused some volatility in oil markets.
- AAA and transportation experts warn of heavy traffic during peak travel days and recommend using apps and planning ahead to avoid delays.