> At a Glance
> – First sub-$3 annual average since 2020 projected for 2026
> – Average forecast: $2.97 vs. 2025’s $3.10
> – Household yearly spend expected at $2,083, down from 2022’s $2,715
> – Why it matters: Relief at the pump could become routine if no major market shocks hit
Drivers may finally catch a sustained break next year. GasBuddy’s 2026 outlook shows the national average price of regular gasoline slipping to $2.97, the first yearly figure under $3 since pandemic-dominated 2020.
By the Numbers
- 2026 projected average: $2.97
- 2025 average: $3.10
- 2020 average: $2.17 (EIA data)
GasBuddy derived the figure by averaging monthly forecast ranges, then averaging all 12 months.
Household Impact
| Year | Avg. Household Spend |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $2,715 |
| 2026 | $2,083 (projected) |
Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, noted the economy “has been improving quietly since 2022,” adding:
> “It’s not a return to ultra-cheap fuel, but for the first time in a long time, the wind is clearly behind drivers’ backs.”
Caveats and Wildcards
- Diesel stays above $3: forecast average $3.55 vs. 2025’s $3.62
- Seasonal swings remain: spring run-ups, hurricane threats, refinery work, and geopolitics can still jolt prices
- Venezuela developments: While President Trump vowed U.S. investment to rebuild Venezuelan oil infrastructure, De Haan cautioned any output boost will be gradual:
> “A lot of Americans may think there’s going to be some sort of overnight … improvement … but this is really a clock that’s going to tick much slower.”
Key Takeaways
- Sub-$3 gas could become common if no surprises roil markets
- Spring price hikes are still likely despite Venezuela headlines
- Diesel drivers won’t feel the same relief
The current national average sits at $2.79, already under GasBuddy’s January projection, setting an encouraging tone for the year ahead.
