Overview
- AAA pegs the national average around $2.85–$2.86 this week, the lowest December level since 2020 and below $3 since Dec. 2.
- GasBuddy projects about $2.79 per gallon on Christmas Day, estimating more than $500 million in savings for drivers over the holiday week.
- AAA forecasts a record 122.4 million holiday travelers, including roughly 109.5 million by car and just over 8 million domestic air passengers.
- Price gaps remain large by state, with Hawaii and California above $4 per gallon and Oklahoma near $2.30, while Ohio (~$2.58), Michigan (~$2.73) and Colorado (~$2.44) report further declines.
- Energy analysts cite rising North American and OPEC+ output and high refinery runs as key drivers, with prices likely to stay under pressure barring supply disruptions.