The summer driving season usually brings an unwelcome spike in gas prices, but this year might be a different story.
The national average for a gallon of regular gas was $3.45 on Friday, according to AAA. That's 14 cents less than a month ago and 13 cents less than a year ago.
As summer goes on, we could continue to see pump prices slide.
"Gasoline demand has trailed 2023 for most of this year, and analysts believe economic uncertainty may suppress demand this summer," Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, said in a statement.
Because of supply conditions and easing demand, the national average hit a high of $3.67 per gallon in mid-April and has been on the decline ever since, according to RSM chief economist Joe Brusuelas.
"Traditionally, gasoline prices in the United States peak just ahead of the July 4 holiday as consumers get ready to hit the road and vacation season begins. But this year is shaping up to be a different story," Brusuelas wrote in a recent analysis. "Wholesale gasoline prices suggest that the price at the pump will fall another 10% from the current $3.44 per gallon."
"This will surely bolster U.S. household balance sheets heading into the summer spending season," Brusuelas added.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand crept higher from 8.94 million barrels per day to 9.04 last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks jumped from 230.9 to 233.5 million barrels as production increased last week, averaging 10.1 million barrels per day. Mediocre gasoline demand, increasing supply and stable oil costs will likely lead to falling pump prices, according to AAA.
"Is the typical robust summer driving season a thing of the past? Or is gas demand just taking longer to pick up steam? We may not know until autumn," said Gross.
California currently leads the nation in high gas prices with an average of $4.81 per gallon, AAA reports.
Top 10 most expensive markets
1. California - $4.81
2. Hawaii - $4.71
3. Washington - $4.33
4. Oregon - $4.07
5. Nevada - $4.04
6. Alaska - $3.92
7. Illinois - $3.84
8. Washington, D.C. - $3.65
9. Pennsylvania - $3.63
10. Arizona - $3.61
On the flip side, the cheapest gas is in Mississippi, where the average price is nearly two dollars cheaper than California at $2.93 per gallon, per AAA.
Top 10 least expensive markets
1. Mississippi - $2.93
2. Arkansas - $2.94
3. Oklahoma - $3.00
4. Tennessee - $3.00
5. Louisiana - $3.01
6. Kansas - $3.03
7. Missouri - $3.06
8. Texas - $3.07
9. Alabama - $3.10
10. South Carolina - $3.12