3.3 million Georgians expected to hit roads this holiday season. Gas prices dropping just in time for holidays

Gas prices are steadily decreasing across the state, and that’s expected to continue even as millions of Georgians drive to their holiday destinations through the end of the year.

Georgia drivers on Monday paid an average price of $2.96 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, a 7-cent discount from last week, according to AAA. Georgia’s average price at the pump is 10 cents cheaper than the national average, which is also steadily declining in the weeks leading up to the holiday rush.

In what AAA called an “early Christmas gift,” average national gas prices are expected to slide below $3 per gallon by the end of 2023. The average price nationally was $3.06 on Monday.

Georgia’s gas prices are also forecast to continue to dip, benefiting an estimated 3.3 million Georgians who are forecast to drive at least 50 miles to a holiday destination between Dec. 23 and Jan. 1. Hartsfield-jackson International Airport also expects nearly 194,000 passengers during that time span.

AAA credited declining gas prices to a low cost for oil, which is hovering around $70 per barrel.

Gas demand has slightly increased compared to last week, according to data from the Energy Information Administration, but AAA said demand is tepid enough for low oil prices to depress gas prices.

“If oil prices remain low, drivers can expect pump prices to do the same during the holiday season,” AAA said in a news release.

Residents of Dalton, Warner Robins and the northwest corner of Georgia have the cheapest average gas prices in the state at $2.80 or less per gallon. Savannah is Georgia’s most expensive metro gas market at $3.08 per gallon, with Atlanta not far behind at $3.02 per gallon.

Gas prices have fluctuated in recent weeks in Georgia, especially after the state’s suspension of motor fuel taxes lapsed. For much of the past two years, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a series of emergency orders to suspend the state’s gas tax to lower fuel prices, but the suspension expired at the end of November. According to Gasbuddy.com, statewide gas prices increased 13 cents as the gas tax was restored.

Pump prices are 17 cents more expensive than this time last year, according to AAA, meaning it costs $2.55 more for the average Georgian to fill up a 15-gallon vehicle with regular unleaded.