For the first time since May 2021, the national average price of gasoline has fallen below $3.00 per gallon, giving drivers across the country a much-needed break at the pump. According to GasBuddy, every single state saw relief over the past week — a rare feat in an era when Americans have gotten used to sky-high prices.
Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, called the drop “remarkable” and noted that dozens of stations in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas are even selling fuel for $1.99 per gallon or less. That’s right — sub-$2 gas is finally showing up in the heartland.
The decline comes thanks to a mix of factors that any common-sense observer could have predicted: lower seasonal demand, falling oil prices, rising OPEC output, and strong U.S. refinery production. West Texas Intermediate crude recently traded near $58 per barrel, the lowest in years, while record domestic oil production continues to ease pressure on consumers.
De Haan warns that prices may fluctuate, but more drivers in states like Texas, Mississippi, and across the Gulf region should expect similar relief in the coming months before the spring rebound in 2026. Strong station competition in the South is accelerating the effect, and even areas temporarily hampered by refinery challenges — such as parts of the Great Lakes and West Coast — should see falling prices soon.
After years of inflation and price spikes under the previous administration, Americans can finally breathe a little easier at the pump. Lower gas prices ahead of the holidays are a welcome reminder that energy policies promoting production and market freedom deliver tangible results for everyday families.
