Christmas Day Gas Prices Could Hit $2.79: GasBuddy

The national average price has dropped to $2.85 per gallon.

A gas stop in Kerrville, Texas, on July 9, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

This year, Americans may find their best Christmas present at the gas pump instead of under the tree.

GasBuddy, a platform that provides real-time gas price information, indicated the national average for gas prices on Christmas Day could drop to $2.79 per gallon—well below last year’s $3.00 and the lowest cost since 2020.  In a Dec. 16 report, GasBuddy notes this drop in fuel prices will save drivers a total of half a billion dollars during Christmas week, compared with 2024.

“Christmas is often when gas prices settle near the lowest levels of the year, and 2025 is no exception,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy said in the report.

“Refinery maintenance has wrapped up, supplies are rising, and winter demand is much lower than in summer—all of which help keep a lid on prices.”

Typically, De Haan said, refinery work tends to wind down toward the end of the year. That combined with OPEC’s oil production increases has led to some of the lowest gas prices seen across the country this year. While millions of Americans travel during the holidays, winter gasoline demand is still way less than during the summer.

GasBuddy also reported that the nation’s average price has declined by $0.045 per gallon, to $2.85. That average is also $0.22 a gallon lower than just a month ago, and $0.126 per gallon lower than at the same time in 2024.

As of Dec. 15, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down $0.30, to $57.14 per barrel, compared with last week’s $59.55 per barrel level. The report notes the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week ending Dec. 5 showed U.S. oil inventories decreased by 1.8 million barrels, and remained about 4 percent below the seasonal average. However, gasoline inventories rose by 6.4 million barrels and are about 1 percent below the five-year seasonal average,

“For those traveling across state lines, keep in mind the extreme volatility in prices that can occur between states and save yourself $0.20 to $0.80 per gallon by filling up on the cheaper side,” De Haan said.

GasBuddy suggests drivers watch prices over state lines as tax differences can increase prices, and taking advantage of loyalty programs offered by many gas chains. Some gas companies like Shell, have even teamed up grocery stores like Stop & Shop, so that customers can earn points toward gas discounts wherever they buy groceries.

Finally, GasBuddy recommends drivers use cruise control to maintain steady speeds, which can improve fuel economy by up to 15 percent on long holiday drives.

According to GasBuddy’s latest data, the most common gas prices reported nationally last week ranged from $2.69 to $2.99 per gallon, with a median price of $2.73 per gallon.

The top 10 percent of stations in the country averaged $4.15 per gallon, while the bottom 10 percent averaged $2.21 per gallon.

States having the lowest average prices included Oklahoma at $2.22 per gallon, Colorado at $2.39 per gallon, and Texas at $2.41 per gallon. Hawaii held the highest average gas price at $4.36 per gallon.

Looking forward to 2026, De Haan added that they’re seeing “encouraging early trends” as GasBuddy prepares to release its 2025 Fuel Outlook report in January.