Gas Prices Stay Low This Thanksgiving Amid Blame on Democrat States, Despite White House Accusations

The nationwide average for a gallon of regular gas stands at $3.042, down slightly from the $3.056 average a year ago. For the second straight Thanksgiving, drivers are paying far less than during the Biden administration years when prices surged to $3.49 in 2021, $3.80 in 2022, and $3.44 in 2023. Under President Donald Trump, gas prices have shown less volatility, with none of the steep month-to-month swings seen during former president Joe Biden’s last year in office.

AAA attributes the lower holiday prices this year to soft crude oil prices and the absence of refinery-disrupting storms in the Gulf. Still, this year’s Thanksgiving average remains more than 25 cents higher than any holiday price during Trump’s first White House term, with polls consistently showing that Americans are concerned about affordability and the cost of living.

The White House blamed Democrat-controlled states for inflating the national average by clinging to Biden’s restrictive energy agenda. It cited California, Hawaii, and Washington as examples, noting that California drivers are paying over $4.60 per gallon — $1.60 more than the national average — while more than half the country is paying under $3.00. The official pointed to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “failed Green New Scam experiment,” blaming the Democrat’s policies for the rising cost of fuel.

California’s 71-cents-per-gallon gas tax — the highest in the nation — is a major driver of the state’s steep pump prices. The state’s own Energy Commission estimates that environmental compliance rules contribute up to 54 additional cents per gallon.

The three most expensive gas markets in America are deep-blue states, while the cheapest gas in the country is found in three GOP-run states. Among the 10 least expensive states, only Colorado, Kentucky, and Kansas are overseen by Democrat governors.