Thanksgiving Travelers Find Falling Gas Prices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With 43.5 million Americans expected to hit the roads this Thanksgiving, they can expect to pay the second-cheapest Turkey Day gas prices since 2008, when the national average was $1.85, according to a newly released AAA report.

Today’s national average gas price of $2.14 per gallon represents a savings of 3 cents per gallon vs. one week ago, and 9 cents per gallon on the month. Pump prices are only 5 cents higher than last year at this time, the association reported.

Retail averages have fallen steadily since Nov. 6 for a total savings of 8 cents per gallon, and drivers in 45 states and the District of Columbia are currently paying less at the pump week over week.

The national average is expected to near $2 a gallon by the end of the year.

Average gas prices are already below $2 per gallon in 12 states including: Oklahoma ($1.85), Missouri ($1.90), Arkansas ($1.90), Kansas ($1.90), Texas ($1.92), Mississippi ($1.95), Alabama ($1.95), Minnesota ($1.95), South Carolina ($1.96), Tennessee ($1.96), Louisiana ($1.97) and Virginia ($1.99).

The West Coast remains the most expensive region to buy gasoline in the country, led by Hawaii ($2.86), California ($2.70), Washington ($2.63), Alaska ($2.61), Nevada ($2.47) and Oregon ($2.45). However, weekly discounts were found in California (down 6 cents), Washington (5 cents) and Oregon (5 cents).

Other regional snapshots provided by AAA:  

• Gas prices in the Rocky Mountains have remained relatively stable vs. other markets, following the national average and trending lower during the past week. Regional prices here are expected to continue dropping into the holiday season.
   
• Although the Great Lakes region is often the most volatile area in the country for gas prices, only five states here have seen prices increase week over week: Ohio (up 10 cents), Indiana (10 cents), Michigan (6 cents), Kentucky (3 cents) and Missouri (2 cents). Despite these increases, the region should see relief at the pump after BP’s Whiting refinery in Indiana wraps up its planned maintenance that began in September.
   
• Pump prices in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast continue to drop steadily, with prices across this region falling by a few cents week over week. Despite the drops, New York ($2.37), Pennsylvania ($2.37) and Washington, D.C. ($2.36) round out the list of the top 10 most expensive markets in the country
   
• Drivers in the Southeast continue to enjoy some of the lowest prices in the country due to the proximity to major Gulf Coast refineries and low state gas taxes. Five states in this region rank in the top 10 lowest prices nationwide: Texas ($1.92), Mississippi ($1.95), Alabama ($1.95), South Carolina ($1.96) and Tennessee ($1.96).