Overview
- The national average sits around $3.05–$3.07 per gallon this week, with GasBuddy projecting about $3.02 on Thanksgiving, roughly matching last year.
- More than half of states average below $3, led by Oklahoma near $2.50, while California remains highest around $4.60 and some stations have briefly posted $1.99.
- AAA expects 81.8 million travelers for the holiday, including about 73 million driving, with price trackers reporting broadly steady pump costs compared with 2024.
- Analysts attribute the relief to lower crude prices, refineries returning from maintenance and softer seasonal demand, with Brent down about 17% since June.
- Political spin drew scrutiny after a White House post touting the lowest holiday prices since the pandemic was flagged with a note citing AAA data showing the average slightly higher than a year ago.