National gas price average dips ahead of Thanksgiving.
As Thanksgiving week got underway on Monday, Nov. 20, the national average price of gas, which had been holding steady for nine straight days, began slowly descending.
AAA reported that at $2.54, the national gas price average as of Nov. 20 is two cents less than one week ago and 40 cents more than a year ago.
“Nearly 46 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles away from their home by car this holiday. Many will be thankful to see gas prices trending cheaper in cities across the country,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Since 2014, the national gas price average has dropped one to five cents heading into the Thanksgiving week.”
Drivers can find gas for $2.50 or less at 55% of gas stations in the country, AAA reported. Motorists traveling through Alabama ($2.25) and Mississippi ($2.26) will see the least expensive average gas prices in the nation.
Regional Snapshot
AAA noted that while the West Coast is seeing some of the most expensive prices for gas, refinery utilization rates on the West Coast, which are above 86%, are expected to help stabilize prices ahead of Thanksgiving in the region. Gas prices in the Great Lakes and Central U.S. continue to be volatile, with Illinois’ average of $2.70 landing it on the top 10 states with the most expensive gas in the nation. Three months following Hurricane Harvey, gas prices in the South and Southeast are again among the cheapest in the country. Compared to last Thanksgiving week, motorists in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states are paying between 21-41 cents more for gas.
