Breckenridge Texan

Fewer Americans plan to hit the road for Thanksgiving this year, even as gas prices remain near the lowest holiday level since the pandemic, according to GasBuddy, which forecasts a national average price of gas of $3.02 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day, matching last year and marking one of the cheapest holiday averages since 2021.

GasBuddy’s 2025 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows that 60% of Americans plan to take a road trip, a sharp decrease from 72% last year. The decline comes despite stable fuel prices and points to a more home-centered holiday season.

“Gas prices are cooperating this Thanksgiving, but that’s not translating into more travelers,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Drivers have grown more resilient to price swings, yet I worry that concerns about a cooling economy may be weighing on Americans’ willingness to travel. Even with affordable gas, economic uncertainty can make people stay closer to home.”

According to the survey, 74% say gas prices have no effect on their Thanksgiving travel plans, up from roughly 56% last year. Among those traveling, patterns remain familiar:

• 56% will cross at least one state line.
• 66% expect to drive more than 100 miles.
• Most plan to leave early to mid-morning on Wednesday, November 26.

Gas stations remain the most common pit stop, driven by convenience, price, and clean restrooms. A majority (60%) say they’ll use a loyalty or cash-back program to save on fuel, though slightly fewer than last year.

“Even with fewer people on the road, it pays to compare prices before filling up,” De Haan said. “Crossing a state line can mean a 10–25 cent jump in prices, and in rare cases, differences of up to a dollar per gallon.”

This week’s prices

Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 0.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.58/g on Monday, Nov.  17, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are unchanged versus a month ago and stand 1.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 4.1 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.769 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.15/g on Sunday, while the most expensive was $4.05/g, a difference of $1.90/g.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/g today. The national average is up 1.1 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 1.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

Historical gasoline prices in Texas and the national average going back 10 years:

• November 17, 2024: $2.60/g (U.S. Average: $3.02/g)
• November 17, 2023: $2.80/g (U.S. Average: $3.30/g)
• November 17, 2022: $2.98/g (U.S. Average: $3.72/g)
• November 17, 2021: $3.02/g (U.S. Average: $3.42/g)
• November 17, 2020: $1.79/g (U.S. Average: $2.12/g)
• November 17, 2019: $2.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.61/g)
• November 17, 2018: $2.34/g (U.S. Average: $2.62/g)
• November 17, 2017: $2.29/g (U.S. Average: $2.55/g)
• November 17, 2016: $1.93/g (U.S. Average: $2.15/g)
• November 17, 2015: $1.91/g (U.S. Average: $2.14/g)

Current gas prices around the state:

• Midland Odessa- $2.65/g, up 20.4 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.45/g.
• San Antonio- $2.47/g, down 21.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.69/g.
• Austin- $2.50/g, down 21.0 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.71/g.

“With oil prices mostly stable near the $60 per barrel level, we’ve seen the national average move very little over the last few weeks. Roughly half of all states saw prices rise in the last week, while the other half saw prices fall,” said De Haan “The West Coast should soon see notable price relief as wholesale prices drop amidst seasonally declining demand. With refinery maintenance nearing completion, we’ll likely see supply improve — and I’m hopeful this will bring the national average solidly below $3 per gallon by Christmas.”