National gas prices drop nearly $1/gallon

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Courtesy GasBuddy

Gas prices are expected to lower slightly in time for Labor Day weekend.

By Ethan Gonzales, Sports Editor

BOSTON — After months of never ending price-hikes at the gas station, gas prices have declined every week of the summer and are expected to be the lowest mark since March 3. Gas prices are 20% lower than on Independence Day, at $3.79 per gallon. According to GasBuddy, prices this Labor Day weekend will continue to fall from summer highs, but they remain over 60 cents per gallon more expensive than last year.

This year’s soaring gas prices complicated the road trip plans of many Americans. At the beginning of the summer, 58% of Americans indicated on GasBuddy’s survey that they intended to take a road trip over the summer, with 33% to travel on Labor Day weekend. However, GasBuddy gasoline demand data tells a new story.

Gasoline demand on Independence Day Weekend this year was noticeably lower than 2021. The decline in gallons pumped in recent weeks show that seasonal trends continue to push demand for gasoline down to close out the summer.

“It was a dizzying time as gas prices surged ahead of summer, which caused many Americans to re-think their summer travel plans, only for the longest decline in gas prices since the pandemic to start providing meaningful relief,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “As the sun sets on summer, gas prices are in far more familiar territory and could continue to decline well into fall, barring major disruptions from hurricanes and the likes.”

For those late travelers that plan to hit the road at the end of summer, GasBuddy recommends shopping around for the best prices. As gas prices continue to decline around the country, discrepancies in prices between stations can be extreme.