MINNEAPOLIS — Drivers this morning could be in for a pleasant surprise at the pump: According to AAA, gas prices in some states are starting to fall below $3 a gallon.
A new map published Monday shows that 11 states are paying about $3 a gallon or less on average. Wisconsin is one of those 11.
Minnesota gas stations aren't too far behind though, with gas stations in Hastings posting prices of $2.57 and St. Peter charging $2.54 a gallon. The average price for a gallon of gas across Minnesota is $3.22, according to AAA.
According to information from GasBuddy published on Monday morning, prices in the Twin Cities have dropped just over 40 cents in the last month.
Experts want to offer some hope for travelers this holiday and predict that these prices will keep coming down. The dropping prices are because demand for oil and gas is falling as countries brace for recession.
China's scaled-back consumption of oil has also been a major contributor to declining global oil prices, plus U.S. oil refineries have increased their output after many were shut down for maintenance.
"We're starting to get to the territory now where prices are not only lower than they were prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but we're getting back to where many Americans start to feel gas prices normally are," said Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy. "Eleven states now have average prices under $3 a gallon and the list will continue to grow."
Even though prices are falling, experts say most drivers are still being cautious by taking fewer trips, driving at slower speeds, and only partially filling their gas tanks.
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