Key Takeaways:
- The average U.S. gasoline price is expected to be $2.97 per gallon in 2026, according to GasBuddy’s forecast.
- The lowest average U.S. gasoline price in 2026 is expected to be in December, at $2.83 per gallon.
- The highest average U.S. gasoline price in 2026 is expected to be in May, at $3.12 per gallon.
- Average household spending on gasoline is expected to be $2,083 in 2026, the lowest figure since 2021.
- Gasoline prices are expected to follow a traditional seasonal pattern in 2026, with a spring peak and a winter trough.
Introduction to GasBuddy’s Forecast
In a recent report, GasBuddy revealed its average U.S. gasoline price prediction for 2026. According to the report, the company expects the U.S. gasoline price to come in at $2.97 per gallon this year, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline and the lowest average since 2020. Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy, stated that this continued decrease reflects the unwinding of post-pandemic market distortions, expanding global refining capacity, and more stable supply chains.
Gasoline Price Projections
GasBuddy expects May to see the highest average U.S. gasoline price in 2026, at $3.12 per gallon, while December is expected to have the lowest average U.S. gasoline price, at $2.83 per gallon. The report also projected that average household spending on gasoline will come in at $2,083 in 2026, the lowest figure since 2021. De Haan noted that the national average price of gas is expected to briefly rise into the low $3.20 range in the spring, driven by the switch to summer gasoline and routine refinery maintenance.
Seasonal Patterns and Market Stability
De Haan projected that gasoline prices are expected to follow a traditional seasonal pattern in 2026, with imbalances left behind by Covid and geopolitical tensions balanced for the time being. The national average is projected to briefly rise in the spring, but the peak is forecast to come in lower than in 2025, signaling a softening market. After June, prices are expected to decline steadily, with December averaging near $2.80 per gallon. This renewed seasonality suggests a market returning to normal rhythms rather than reacting to volatility.
Global Market Trends
De Haan noted that the world has spent years recovering from the economic whiplash of the pandemic and the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the situation has been improving quietly since 2022. As global central banks slammed the brakes on an overheated economy and new refining capacity came online, fuel prices have eased year after year. De Haan stated that 2026 is expected to keep this momentum going, with sustained averages below $3 per gallon potentially becoming commonplace in the year ahead, if the market avoids major surprises.
Comparison to Previous Years
In a blog post on GasBuddy’s website, De Haan defined 2025 as "a year of rare stability", with prices following a seasonal pattern but staying confined to one of the narrowest ranges drivers have seen in years. De Haan noted that this level of stability is unusual and may not be fully appreciated until volatility returns. The current average regular gasoline price in the U.S. is $2.840 per gallon, according to the AAA Fuel Prices website, which is down from $3.071 per gallon last year.
Current Gasoline Prices
As of January 14, GasBuddy’s live ticking average for regular gasoline in the U.S. was $2.844 per gallon, which is 0.7 cents up from yesterday’s average and 23.9 cents down from last year’s average. The AAA Fuel Prices website also reported an average regular gasoline price of $2.840 per gallon, with a year-over-year decrease of 23.9 cents. These current prices reflect the ongoing trends and seasonal patterns in the gasoline market, and drivers can expect prices to continue to fluctuate throughout the year.