GasBuddy's 2026 Fuel Price Outlook: National Average Below $3 Per Gallon
GasBuddy has released its 2026 Fuel Price Outlook, predicting that the national average price of gasoline will drop below $3 per gallon for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The projected yearly U.S. average is $2.97 per gallon, a decrease from 2025's average of $3.10. Despite the expected relief, GasBuddy anticipates volatility in 2026 due to seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, hurricane season, and geopolitical risks. Diesel prices are also forecasted to remain elevated but are expected to ease from recent highs, averaging $3.55 per gallon for the year.
Key highlights from GasBuddy's 2026 Fuel Outlook include a projected national average of $2.97 per gallon, a potential spring peak in the low $3.20s during the transition to summer gasoline, and a decrease in prices after June with an average of $2.83 in December. Diesel prices are expected to average $3.55 nationally in 2026, down from $3.62 in 2025. The Gulf Coast and South regions are likely to have the lowest prices, while California, the Northeast, and Chicago are expected to remain the highest-priced areas, albeit below 2022 highs. Motorists are projected to spend $11 billion less on gasoline in 2026 compared to 2025, with average household spending estimated at $2,083, slightly lower than in 2025.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that the global economy has been recovering since 2022, leading to a gradual easing of fuel prices. He emphasized that while 2026 may not bring ultra-cheap fuel, drivers can expect sustained averages below $3 per gallon if the market remains stable. The outlook for the year ahead suggests that the trend of decreasing fuel prices will continue, providing some relief to consumers at the pump.