“We’re gonna party like it’s $1.99” is the theme Monday for AAA as the national average price of a gallon of gas dips below the $2 mark for the first time since 2009.
The National Average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas came in at $1.99 Monday morning according to AAA, the lowest it’s been since March 25, 2009.
AAA estimates that cheaper gas prices have saved Americans more than $115 billion on gasoline so far this year, which works out to more than $550 per licensed driver. More than 91 million Americans plan to take advantage of cheaper gas prices to drive 50 miles or more during the upcoming holiday period.
“Drivers across the country are celebrating the historic return of cheaper gas prices,” said Marshall Doney, AAA’s President and CEO. “The lowest gas prices in nearly seven years are a holiday gift that few consumers could have imagined when gasoline was $4 a gallon.”
More than two-thirds of U.S. stations already are selling gas under $2 per gallon, and drivers can find at least one station selling gas for less than that price in 47 states. The most common price nationwide is $1.899 per gallon. The national average price of gas is about 41 cents less than a year ago.
Gas prices have dropped because there is more than enough oil and gasoline supplies around the world to meet current demand. In addition, gas prices generally fall through early winter because people drive and use less fuel this time of year.
“We have witnessed a dramatic shift in gas prices that has saved families hundreds of dollars so far this year,” continued Doney. “The best news of all is that there is room for prices to drop even more in the coming weeks.”
Gas prices already are much cheaper than $2 per gallon in most parts of the country. The lowest one percent of U.S. stations are selling gas for an average of $1.59 per gallon, and more than 13,000 stations are selling gas for less than $1.75 per gallon. The states with the cheapest averages include: Missouri ($1.77), Oklahoma ($1.78), South Carolina ($1.78), Tennessee ($1.79) and Kansas ($1.79). Kansas City, Missouri has the cheapest metro average in the country at $1.68 per gallon.
St. Joseph’s average came in at $1.73.