Reports indicate that Americans setting out on road trips this Memorial Day weekend can expect some financial relief at the gas pump. Gas prices are projected to reach their lowest inflation-adjusted levels since 2021, according to data released Tuesday, as reported by The Hill.
GasBuddy, a fuel savings platform, has released an analysis showing the national average price for a gallon of gasoline is predicted to be $3.08 on Memorial Day, May 26. The significance of this should not be overlooked. It is the lowest rate for the holiday weekend in three years, adjusted for inflation.”
Summer gas prices are also expected to remain low, with an average of $3.02 per gallon forecasted between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Despite some economic concerns, many Americans are still keen to travel. According to a survey by GasBuddy, nearly 70% of Americans plan at least one road trip this summer, a slight decrease from 76% last summer.
Among those planning road trips, 32% have indicated they’ll embark on two trips this season, with 40% expecting to drive five or more hours to reach their destinations. The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects that 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday. This projection marks an increase of roughly 1.4 million travelers compared to 2024, surpassing the previous record of 44 million set in 2005.
This raises important questions about the broader trends in domestic travel and their implications for energy policies. The Trump administration has maintained a focus on domestic energy strategies amid shifting economic signals and global trade tensions.
Memorial Day, where we honor the U.S. military personnel who have perished in service, also marks the unofficial start of summer and is among the busiest travel periods of the year. The lower gas prices and extended holiday weekends are encouraging for millions of Americans planning to hit the road, indicating a robust kickoff to the 2025 travel season.
And that’s the way it is on this day, as we acknowledge the financial relief at the gas pumps this Memorial Day.
