Gas finally eased up. As of early December, AAA says the national average price for regular gas slid to $2.99 a gallon, the first time it’s dipped below $3 in four years, and GasBuddy data shows many states sitting well under that number. This is your chance to make a long holiday drive cost a lot less—if you treat cheap gas like a target, not a background detail.
Start with a map, not a guess. AAA’s national gas-price tracker and GasBuddy’s price averages and tools show big swings between states and even neighboring towns. Plan your route so you fill up in the cheaper zones, not at the first desperate station on a nearly empty tank. That one change—topping off where prices sit 20–30 cents lower—keeps real money in your pocket over a 400–600 mile run.
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash 
Next, stop wasting cash on premium if your car doesn’t need it. If your owner’s manual says 87, giving it 91 or 93 only feeds the pump, not some hidden performance mode. The same mindset applies to maintenance. The FuelEconomy.gov “keeping your car in shape” section notes that proper tire pressure alone can improve fuel economy by up to a few percent, and that the right numbers live on the door-jamb sticker—not the tire sidewall. That’s why their tire-pressure guidance is so blunt about checking pressures regularly and avoiding underinflation.
So grab a gauge, aim for the door-sticker pressures, and keep an eye on tread wear before you hit a long highway stretch. The gas-price chart on your phone gives you the “where”; tire pressure and smart fuel choice give you the “how.” Together they turn this short window of cheap gas into lower trip costs instead of just a feel-good headline.
My Verdict
A national average under $3 a gallon is rare; letting it pass without a plan is a mistake. Check prices before you roll, time your fill-ups in cheaper states, skip unnecessary premium, and set your tire pressure to the numbers on the door. Do that and every tank on your holiday trip feels like a small rebate. This season, don’t just smile at the marquee—build a game plan and let the sub-$3 gas era pay for part of your vacation.
