(The Center Square) – This Thanksgiving week, Coloradans will find gas prices much lower than last year, offering some relief as millions hit the road to see family and friends.
According to AAA’s Colorado average on Tuesday, the current price for regular unleaded is $2.65 a gallon. Mid-grade averages $3.03, premium $3.35, and diesel $3.54.
All remain below the national averages, which Colorado typically trends under. The national average for regular unleaded currently sits at $3.06.
While Colorado’s regular unleaded gas price is down compared to last year, it also comes in well below what drivers were paying over the summer or even a month ago, when the average was $2.92.
Prices still vary widely across the state, with some counties seeing gas around $2.37, while others hover closer to $4.34. That is a nearly $2 spread across Colorado.
AAA projects 81.8 million people nationwide will travel at least 50 miles from home from Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 1.
Nearly 90% of those travelers — an additional 1.3 million people compared to last Thanksgiving — are expected to go by car. Though Thanksgiving is consistently the busiest travel holiday, this year is still expected to set a new overall record.
“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it’s visiting extended family or meeting up with friends.”
AAA notes that some of those last-minute adjustments may come from travelers dealing with potential flight disruptions and lingering uncertainty following the recent federal government shutdown.
Even so, the Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for what it expects to be the busiest Thanksgiving air travel period in 15 years.
Tuesday is projected to be the peak travel day of the Thanksgiving season.
Nationally, California has the most-expensive gas prices at $4.59, while Oklahoma has the cheapest at $2.50.
