GasBuddy’s report on the national average gas prices decreasing for the fourth consecutive week ahead of Memorial Day weekend is good news for drivers across the country. According to GasBuddy, the national average is expected to stay in the mid-$3 range for most of the summer. The current national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.55, which is down 3.5 cents from the previous week and 12 cents from last month, although it is slightly higher than last year.
Among the states with the lowest average gas prices are Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, where drivers can expect to pay around $3.00 to $3.07 per gallon. On the flip side, California, Hawaii, and Washington have the highest gas prices in the country, with an average of $4.54 to $5.14 per gallon. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, mentioned that summer gas prices should be mostly favorable for drivers, but there could be unexpected factors such as issues in the Middle East, hurricane season, refinery maintenance, or weather disruptions that may affect prices.
Despite the high gas prices in certain states, the most common gas price in the U.S. this week was $3.49, according to GasBuddy. The forecast for the summer travel season also indicates that the national average for gas prices is expected to hover around the mid-$3 range for the majority of the summer. De Haan mentioned that motorists may see more gas stations offering prices below $2.99 per gallon as refiners increase their output after completing maintenance.
In addition to the promising gas prices for the summer, the Federal Aviation Administration is anticipating the busiest Memorial Day weekend for air travel in over a decade. With more than 53,000 flights expected on Thursday and 50,000 on Friday, travelers should be prepared for high volumes of air traffic. Overall, the combination of lower gas prices and increased air travel activity paints a positive picture for Memorial Day weekend and the upcoming summer season for travelers across the country.
