Gasoline Prices Flat Ahead of Thanksgiving Rush

The national average price of regular unleaded remains flat relative to a week ago as well as a year ago ahead of the Thanksgiving Day holiday rush that should see a nearly 3% increase in road travel from 2018, according to AAA.

A gallon of gasoline now retails for $2.59, which is 2 cents higher than the holiday weekend a year ago. The price is at $2.50 or less at 61% of the nation's gas stations. AAA has projected that 49 million travelers will hit the road for the holiday.

"During Thanksgiving week last year, we saw the national gas price average decrease a nickel between Monday and Thursday, that could be the case again this year," said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. "AAA recommends holiday road-trippers use the AAA app to find current gas prices along their route."

States with the least expensive gasoline include Louisiana ($2.21), Mississippi ($2.22), Texas ($2.25), Missouri ($2.25), Alabama ($2.27), Oklahoma ($2.28), South Carolina ($2.28), Arkansas ($2.29), Tennessee ($2.30), and Virginia ($2.31).

States with the largest weekly changes include Ohio (down 12 cents), California (down 9 cents), Michigan (up 8 cents), Oregon (down 5 cents), Alaska (down 5 cents), Nevada (down 5 cents), Washington (down 4 cents), Pennsylvania (up 4 cents), Utah (up 4 cents), and Missouri (down 3 cents).

Meanwhile, the average price of a gallon of diesel fell eight-tenths of a cent to $3.066, which is 19.5 cents lower than a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.