Gas prices buck usual trend, continue going down

AAA says more Americans are traveling this Thanksgiving holiday. Gas prices are bucking the usual trend and keep going down.

Higher consumer confidence and lower gas prices mean more people are traveling. AAA says it’s a trend that has been on an upswing over the last six years. It forecast 47 million Americans would travel for Thanksgiving. Of those are 5.7 million Californians, most of whom are driving. Drivers say these lower prices are making it possible.

According to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the national average for gas is $2.05. In California, drivers are paying an average of $2.70 and in Salinas, the average is lower at $2.66. For perspective on how low prices are right now, at this time last year, drivers in Salinas were paying $0.37 more.

“We didn’t come down last year because of fuel prices but it’s good this year and we’re getting ten miles to the gallon so we’re happy,” one driver from Salem, Ore. said.

“Right now with such a healthy supply of crude oil,” said AAA Spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Even if there is an interruption, it doesn’t really affect the gas prices for us consumers because there’s plenty of supply on a national level and also on a global level.”

And prices are bucking the usual trend of spiking during the winter.

“Historically, through the holiday season, because there’s a higher demand gas prices actually go up,” Harris said. “And in this case, it’s the reverse.”

Analysts say we can expect to see prices continue to go down throughout the holiday season into January.