TAMPA, Fla. — More than 90 million Americans, on the holiday road, are finding the lowest average gas prices for the year-end holidays since 2008-09. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.00 nationally, $2.01 in Florida, $1.91 in Georgia, and $1.76 in Tennessee.
"Gasoline could get even cheaper in the coming weeks, as some of the lowest prices of the year typically arrive in January," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Once the holiday season wraps up, fewer people take long distance road trips, leading to a downturn in demand at a time when supplies are high."
Motorists will ring in the new year with prices well below last year's holiday. The average price for a gallon of gas on January 1, 2015 was $2.24 nationally, $2.35 in Florida, $2.22 in Georgia, and $2.08 in Tennessee. This year, gas prices are averaging $2 and below, saving motorists $5-$10 every time they fill their tanks. Gas prices on New Year's Day 2016 will be the lowest since 2009.
Americans already enjoyed the lowest gas prices on Christmas Day since 2008. Average prices during this year's holiday were $2.00 nationwide, $2.01 in Florida, $1.92 in Georgia, $1.77 in Tennessee.
The national average temporarily fell below $2 a gallon last week, but inched back up due to ongoing and unplanned refinery maintenance causing higher prices in California. The national average is once again pushing lower, officially coming in at $1.9998 Sunday, but was rounded up to $2 for this report. The average price in Florida is also poised to fall below $2 a gallon this week. If that happens, it would be the first time since March 22, 2009.
Motorists can find gasoline under $2 a gallon at 70 percent of U.S. gas stations. Prices across the country range from $1.56 (lowest 1%) - $3.25 (highest 1%). The most common price is $1.90. Averages in a total of 32 states are below $2 per gallon and the least expensive markets for gas are: Missouri ($1.70), Oklahoma ($1.75), Kansas ($1.75), Arkansas ($1.76), South Carolina ($1.76), and Tennessee ($1.76).
