Gas Price in 2025: In 2025, gas prices are expected to drop for the third consecutive year, bringing relief to drivers who have been facing rising costs. According to GasBuddy, a reliable source for fuel price forecasts, the national average for regular gas is predicted to decrease to $3.22 per gallon.
This marks a slight drop from the $3.33 per gallon average in 2024. If the forecast holds true, it will be the lowest annual average since 2021, signaling a steady trend of price declines.
After a period of rising gas prices in the first half of 2024, prices at the pump began to decline in the latter part of the year. According to data from AAA and tracking service GasBuddy, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas is now $2.98. This reflects a decrease of nearly 12 cents compared to the same time last year.
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The reduction in prices offers some relief to drivers after several months of higher fuel costs. Despite this drop, fuel prices have remained volatile due to various economic and geopolitical factors influencing global oil markets.
Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, stated that 2025 is expected to continue the slow but steady improvement in gas prices. He added that the national average is likely to stay below $3.50 per gallon during peak driving seasons, including late spring and early summer. This drop could provide significant savings for American families, offering them some relief from rising living costs.
For the average U.S. household, fuel expenses in 2025 are forecast to total about $2,252. This represents a noticeable drop from the record-high $2,715 in 2022. Although it’s still higher than pre-pandemic levels, such as the $1,952 spent on fuel in 2019, it is a substantial decrease compared to the peak fuel costs during the inflation crisis.
Uncertainties Affecting Predictions of Fuel Prices
Some uncertainties remain that could affect these predictions. One of the major concerns is the potential impact of proposed tariffs by President-elect Donald Trump on imports from Canada and Mexico. These tariffs could raise gas prices by 30 to 70 cents per gallon, according to GasBuddy. De Haan noted that Trump is often unpredictable, and his actions could introduce instability into the market, making it difficult to forecast future fuel prices with certainty.
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Despite the positive outlook, there are challenges that could prevent further price declines. The United States is already one of the world’s top oil producers, having set a record of 12.9 million barrels of oil per day in 2023. Even with increased production, steady demand has kept prices from falling significantly.
Rob Thummel, a market analyst from Tortoise Capital, explained that economic factors, not political ones, will have the most influence on the energy sector. Market forces, rather than political decisions, will largely shape the prices of fuel.
There are also potential external factors that could cause prices to spike unexpectedly. Geopolitical issues, such as a crisis in the Middle East, or natural disasters affecting oil production could disrupt the market and drive prices up. De Haan humorously remarked that if gas prices were to fall to $1.99 per gallon, it would likely be due to an economic calamity, not a situation Americans would celebrate.
