Nationwide Gas Prices Expected to Drop Below $3 Per Gallon This Year, According to GasBuddy Report.
For the first time since 2020, gas prices are projected to fall below $3 per gallon nationwide this year, according to a new report from price-tracking group GasBuddy. The organization has set its annual average price for 2026 at $2.97, marking a decrease of 13 cents compared to last year's average of $3.10.
The drop in gas prices is attributed to the gradual improvement in global energy markets since 2022, with economic whiplash from the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine slowly coming under control. Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, notes that "the world has been quietly recovering" during this period.
GasBuddy calculated its projected average by determining a monthly price range and averaging those to obtain an overall yearly average. The organization also forecasts that U.S. households will spend less on gas overall in 2026 compared to the previous year, with an annual projection of $2,083 - a decrease from last year's average household price of $2,715.
While the projected decline in gas prices is significant, it's essential to note that there may still be variability due to seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, and ongoing geopolitical risks. The recent U.S. attack on Venezuela, which has massive oil reserves, could impact gas prices later in the year, but its immediate effects are unlikely to affect consumers at the pump.
According to De Haan, "gas prices almost always start going up in the spring," so while the drop below $3 per gallon is a welcome relief for drivers, it's not likely to be sustained. As the market adjusts to these changes, sustained averages below $3 per gallon may become more commonplace in the year ahead.
For the first time since 2020, gas prices are projected to fall below $3 per gallon nationwide this year, according to a new report from price-tracking group GasBuddy. The organization has set its annual average price for 2026 at $2.97, marking a decrease of 13 cents compared to last year's average of $3.10.
The drop in gas prices is attributed to the gradual improvement in global energy markets since 2022, with economic whiplash from the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine slowly coming under control. Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, notes that "the world has been quietly recovering" during this period.
GasBuddy calculated its projected average by determining a monthly price range and averaging those to obtain an overall yearly average. The organization also forecasts that U.S. households will spend less on gas overall in 2026 compared to the previous year, with an annual projection of $2,083 - a decrease from last year's average household price of $2,715.
While the projected decline in gas prices is significant, it's essential to note that there may still be variability due to seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, and ongoing geopolitical risks. The recent U.S. attack on Venezuela, which has massive oil reserves, could impact gas prices later in the year, but its immediate effects are unlikely to affect consumers at the pump.
According to De Haan, "gas prices almost always start going up in the spring," so while the drop below $3 per gallon is a welcome relief for drivers, it's not likely to be sustained. As the market adjusts to these changes, sustained averages below $3 per gallon may become more commonplace in the year ahead.
gas prices have been such a pain lately, so a drop below $3/gallon is like music to my ears 
. i know some people are still worried about fluctuations and whatnot, but honestly, it's time to start celebrating these lower prices 
. like patrick de haan said, the world has been recovering slowly since 2022, so let's just enjoy this sweet relief while we can 
. gotta keep in mind that gas prices might not stay low forever, but for now, let's soak up every penny we can 
! It'll definitely make a big difference for drivers like me who commute long distances daily. The recovery from 2022's energy market downturn is awesome to see, and I'm glad GasBuddy is keeping track of it 
. Still, we gotta keep an eye out for those spring price hikes 
. Fingers crossed that gas prices stay low all year round!
it's gonna save so much cash on petrol this year i was so worried about my budget last year but it seems like the world is finally getting back on track 
Oh man, I'm so stoked about gas prices dropping below $3 per gallon this year! It's like, finally, we can go on a road trip without breaking the bank 
. Still, I'm just excited for the relief! $2,083 less spent on gas overall? That's like, a whole new level of savings 
. Just hope the market stays stable and we don't see any major shocks later in the year 
. Bring it on, 2026! 
. I mean, if gas prices really are going to drop that low, it's gotta be because of some serious market shifts. Like, what's with all this "world quietly recovering" stuff? Is Patrick De Haan just making excuses for the energy industry or what? 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that GasBuddy is keeping us in the loop with their #pricepredictions? 
Patrick De Haan's got some solid insights 
, and I love how he mentions that global energy markets have been slowly recovering since 2022 
. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a sustained drop in prices! Fingers crossed, wallet happy 
.
I'm just hoping that as our world recovers from all the craziness over the past few years, we can start to see more stability in these markets and maybe even some prices staying below $3 for a while 
. I mean, we're talking $432 less per vehicle for the whole year 
! its like every year we're expecting a price drop but it never happens, and now GasBuddy is saying we might see it below $3 per gallon 
. hope this price drop is sustained and not just a fleeting thing 
... GasBuddy's saying we might not actually stay below $3 per gallon for long 
. And what about those other factors they mentioned? Seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, and geopolitics? That stuff can still totally mess with prices 
. Still, it's a good sign that things are slowly getting better... so let's just take this small win and see where the year takes us 
. My wallet (and my car) will thank me 
gas price drop! It's been ages since we've seen prices go down like that, and it's gonna be a huge relief for road trippers and commuters alike 
. I mean, who doesn't love saving a buck or two on fuel? But, at the same time, Patrick De Haan is right – there are still some wildcards out there