Americans spending less to fill up tanks as gas prices drop over holiday weekend

As Americans get set to head home from the Memorial Day holiday weekend getaway, they are seeing some of the lowest gas prices in years. — Image credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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Summary

Gas price trends

According to GasBuddy, Americans experienced some of the lowest gas prices for Memorial Day since 2021, with the national average at $3.08 per gallon. The trend of lower prices is expected to continue, with GasBuddy predicting an average of $3.02 per gallon through Labor Day.

Summer travel expectations

GasBuddy estimates that 69% of Americans plan to take a road trip this summer, a decrease from 76% last year. For upcoming holidays, GasBuddy projects that 42% will travel for Independence Day and 35% for Labor Day.

Consumer behavior changes

Economic uncertainty is making Americans more selective with their travel and spending plans, rather than leading to cancellations.

Full story

As Americans prepare to head home from the Memorial Day holiday weekend getaway, they are seeing some of the lowest gas prices in years. GasBuddy pegged the national average at $3.08 per gallon for Memorial Day, the cheapest for the holiday since 2021, and that trend is expected to continue.

Unbiased. Straight Facts.^TM

According to Gas Buddy, gas will cost $3.08 per gallon on average over Memorial Day weekend. That’s the lowest inflation-adjusted cost for the holiday since 2003.

What can drivers expect heading in the summer months ?

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of the summer driving season, GasBuddy predicts the average price to be $3.02 a gallon through Labor Day and perhaps even less expensive as the summer winds down.

Approximately 69% of Americans say they plan to take a road trip this summer. That’s down from 76% last year. This Memorial Day, AAA said nearly 40 million Americans drove 50 miles or more between Thursday, May 22 and Monday, May 26.

What about upcoming holidays ?

Next up, the fourth of July. GasBuddy says 42% of Americans will travel for Independence Day, followed by Labor Day at 35%.

“We’re forecasting the lowest summer gas prices in years, economic jitters are slightly dampening optimism but we still expect a robust travel season,“ Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

He added that Americans are becoming more selective with their plans when it comes to spending, instead of cancelling.

Lower crude oil costs are driving gas prices down, along with an increase in production from OPEC+.

What are the best and worst times to travel on Memorial Day?

AAA said the best time to hit the road and head home is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The worst time is 4 to 7 p.m., especially in major cities such as Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor), William Jackson (Producer), and Ally Heath (Senior Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Gas prices, holiday travel, Travel

As Americans get set to head home from the Memorial Day holiday weekend getaway, they are seeing some of the lowest gas prices in years. GasBuddy pegged the national average at $3.08 per gallon for Memorial Day, the cheapest for the holiday since 2021 and that trend is expected to continue.
With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of the summer driving season, GasBuddy predicts the average price to be $3.02 a gallon through Labor Day and perhaps even less expensive as the summer winds down.
69% of Americans say they plan to take a road trip this summer. That’s down from 76% last year. This Memorial Day, Triple A says nearly 40 million Americans were driving 50 miles or more between last Thursday and Monday night.
Next up, the fourth of July. GasBuddy says 42% of Americans will travel for Independence Day, followed by Labor Day at 35%.
“We’re forecasting the lowest summer gas prices in years, economic jitters are slightly dampening optimism but we still expect a robust travel season, “ said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
He added that Americans are becoming more selective with their plans when it comes to spending, instead of cancelling.
Lower crude oil costs are driving gas prices down, along with an increase in production from OPEC+.
As for today’s travel. AAA says the best time to hit the road and head home is between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The worst time is 4 to 7 p.m. especially in major cities such as Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Why this story matters

National gas prices are projected to remain comparatively low during the 2025 summer travel season, affecting the travel plans and economic decisions of millions of Americans.

Gas prices

Lower gas prices, as reported by GasBuddy and attributed to decreased crude oil costs and increased OPEC+ production, can reduce travel expenses and influence consumer spending.

Travel behavior

A majority of Americans plan summer road trips, though numbers are down from the previous year, indicating shifts in travel trends and possible economic caution.

Economic impact

Consumers are becoming more selective about their travel spending, which may reflect broader economic uncertainty and influence tourism and related industries.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame lower Memorial Day gas prices as a consumer benefit amid broader economic uncertainties, emphasizing factors like trade war pessimism and refinery shutdowns while cautiously acknowledging Trump’s mixed role, often characterizing tariffs as “sky-high” and inflation risks as “pessimism.”
Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
Media outlets on the right celebrate the drop as a decisive “win” credited to President Donald Trump’s energy policies and diplomacy, employing emotionally charged terms like “huge win” and “putting money back in consumers’ pockets,” while contrasting sharply with Biden’s “radical climate policies.”

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Media landscape

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103 total sources

Key points from the Left

The national average price of a gallon of gasoline is expected to be $3.08 on Memorial Day, the lowest since 2021, according to GasBuddy projections.
Approximately 39.4 million people are expected to travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, a 3% increase from last year, as reported by AAA.
Lower gas prices have contributed to better-than-expected inflation reports in March and April, indicating a positive impact on the economy.

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No coverage from Far Left sources 0 sources
No coverage from Left sources 0 sources
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Key points from the Center

GasBuddy forecasts that the average cost for a gallon of gasoline nationwide will drop to $3.08 on Memorial Day 2025, marking the lowest price at this time of year since 2021.
This drop follows a 20% plunge in U.S. Oil prices driven by Saudi Arabia's increased production and economic pessimism, amid ongoing trade war concerns.
About 39.4 million Americans are projected to drive during the Memorial Day holiday, marking a 3% rise compared to last year, supported by decreased fuel and travel expenses.
Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy noted that Americans "have to work less to fill up their tank," while Bob McNally said Trump’s efforts on OPEC have helped lower crude prices.
The lower gas prices provide a visible relief amid inflation and economic worries, suggesting summer fuel costs may remain favorable despite ongoing global uncertainties.

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See Hide headlines from Center sources 51 sources

Key points from the Right

Gas prices for Memorial Day weekend are predicted to average $3.08 per gallon, the lowest since 2021, according to GasBuddy's analysis.
AAA expects 39.4 million Americans will travel by road this weekend, indicating a significant demand despite lower prices.
The price drop is attributed to declining crude oil costs and economic factors, as noted by AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria.
Gas prices are reportedly 11% lower than last year, with 14% lower prices when adjusted for inflation, according to the EIA.

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