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NASHVILLE— Gas prices across Tennessee are up slightly this week as an estimated 1.8 million Tennesseans plan road trips for the Thanksgiving holiday. The state’s average gas price is now $2.71 per gallon, nine cents less than a month ago and 17 cents lower than at this time last year.

“Gas prices are up ever so slightly from last week, but we are seeing prices that are around 17 cents cheaper than last year,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s likely that drivers can expect to pay less this year for their Thanksgiving road trips compared to last year. Barring any major swings in pricing, Tennessee drivers will see the cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2020.”

AAA Expects to Rescue More Than 570,000 Stranded Drivers Nationwide

An estimated 71.7 million Americans are expected to take a Thanksgiving road trip this week. Of those, AAA forecasts more than 570,000 drivers will experience car trouble.

The most common issues drivers face include flat tires, dead batteries, and lockouts.

“Don’t let car trouble be the reason you don’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner,” Cooper added. “Before setting out for your holiday road trip, get a full vehicle inspection to ensure everything is in proper working order.”

National Gas Price Trends

The national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.05, matching its January 2024 low. Currently, 28 states have averages below $3 per gallon.

According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand dropped from 9.38 million barrels per day to 8.41 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly to 208.9 million barrels. Gasoline production decreased, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily.

The national average for a gallon of gas is now $3.05, down nine cents from a month ago and 20 cents less than a year ago.

Tennessee Gas Price Averages

• Most expensive metro markets: Johnson City ($2.76), Memphis ($2.75), Nashville ($2.75)
• Least expensive metro markets: Morristown ($2.63), Knoxville ($2.65), Chattanooga ($2.66)

Oil Market Update

On Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell 52 cents, settling at $68.87 per barrel. The EIA reported a 0.5-million-barrel increase in U.S. crude oil inventories last week, bringing the total to 430.3 million barrels – 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

For more tips on preparing your car for holiday travel, visit AAA’s website.