VIRGINIA, USA — In Virginia, AAA reports nearly two million people will be getting in the car to travel to their Thanksgiving destinations.
For the people heading to the gas pump beforehand, they’re in luck… GasBuddy is calling this the cheapest Thanksgiving for gas prices since 2020.
Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
“Gas prices in Virginia are averaging just below that $3 a gallon mark," he said, "and it's one of 30 states that are just under $3 a gallon going into Thanksgiving. Gas prices are down about 17% from last year in Virginia, and the national average is also about 17 cents lower than last year.”
De Haan said this year’s lower Thanksgiving gas prices are holding steady across the country, but if you notice gas prices change by 10 to 20 cents, it’s because of a change in how much oil costs per barrel.
“[Tuesday] they were below $70 a barrel, a few days before that they were above $70 a barrel. So, keep in mind that just because it is a holiday, the price of oil is always moving. We’ve been monitoring situation overseas right now with Russia and the escalation of things with Ukraine,” De Haan added.
De Haan said gas prices coupled with the end of hurricane season should keep gas prices low through the beginning of 2025. However, he cautioned that could change depending on potential policy changes in the new presidential administration.
“President-elect Trump has suggested that tariffs may be on the way. That could have an impact in January, but we’ll let it ride for now,” De Haan said.
As for the most ideal times to fill up your gas tank? GasBuddy says that would be the day before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.