Despite a resurgence of COVID-19 across the U.S., AAA predicts that more than 109 million people in the U.S. will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holidays, the vast majority on the nation’s highways. That would be a 34% increase over 2020.
“Americans who canceled their vacations in 2020 want to gather with family and friends for the holidays this year, although they will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new omicron variant,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel.”
Those traveling by car will find the highest Christmas season gasoline prices since 2013. December normally has some of the lowest gas prices of the year, but 2021 has been an exception for a variety of reasons.
AAA reports that the national average price of regular gas is $3.29 a gallon, a decline of only two cents a gallon in the last seven days. After peaking at $3.42 a gallon, gasoline has been slow to give up its gains. The average price of premium gas is $3.94 a gallon while the average price of diesel fuel is $3.58 a gallon. Both fuels have matched regular’s slow descent.
States with the most expensive gas
These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to AAA:
California ($4.66)
Hawaii ($4.33)
Nevada ($3.86)
Washington ($3.86)
Oregon ($3.76)
Arizona ($3.69)
Alaska ($3.70)
Idaho ($3.60)
Pennsylvania ($3.55)
Utah ($3.54)
States with the cheapest gas
AAA reports that these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:
Texas ($2.89)
Oklahoma ($2.90)
Arkansas ($2.92)
Missouri ($2.94)
Mississippi ($2.95)
Kentucky ($2.96)
Kansas ($2.98)
Wisconsin ($2.98)
South Carolina ($3.00)
Tennessee ($3.00)