> At a Glance
> – National gasoline average projected at $2.97 for 2026, first sub-$3 year since 2020
> – Household fuel spend expected to drop to $2,083, down from 2022’s $2,715
> – Diesel still forecast above $3 at $3.55 for the year
> – Why it matters: Drivers could see sustained lower pump prices if markets avoid major shocks
Gasoline is poised to get cheaper in 2026, with the yearly national average slipping below the symbolic $3 mark for the first time since the pandemic.
2026 Price Outlook
GasBuddy’s new 2026 Fuel Price Outlook puts the annual average at $2.97, a 13-cent decline from 2025’s $3.10. The group derived the figure by averaging monthly ranges across all 12 months.
> “The wind is clearly behind drivers’ backs,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in the report.
Household Impact
U.S. households are projected to spend about $2,083 on gasoline this year, well below 2022’s pain-point average of $2,715.
Current Pump Snapshot
As of Tuesday, the live national average stood at $2.79, already under January’s projected monthly figure.
Diesel & Volatility Notes
Average on-highway diesel is still expected to top $3, landing at $3.55 versus 2025’s $3.62. Prices will still swing with:
- Seasonal demand spikes
- Refinery maintenance windows
- Hurricane season threats
- Geopolitical flare-ups
Venezuela Wildcard
President Trump’s vow to invest billions rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector won’t move the needle quickly.
> “This is really a clock that’s going to tick much slower,” De Haan told NBC News, noting spring’s normal price climb won’t be halted by events in Caracas.
Key Takeaways
- Sub-$3 national average last seen in 2020 when demand crashed
- Diesel remains the pricier outlier
- Spring rally still likely despite Venezuela headlines
- Household budgets should feel modest relief
If markets dodge major surprises, drivers could enjoy the new normal of cheaper fill-ups throughout 2026.
