Texas gas prices predicted to be low during record-breaking holiday travel

AUSTIN, Texas - AAA Texas predicted another record-breaking holiday travel period, with 8.5 million Texans expected to drive during Christmastime this year. 

However, drivers might be gifted cheaper fuel costs as prices are predicted to be the lowest on Christmas Day nationwide since the pandemic. 

"Since the pandemic, everybody has seen prices up in the $4 range," said driver James Burciaga. "I'm glad that things are actually looking better for us in terms of gas prices." 

To start the week, the average gas price for regular unleaded fuel in Texas was $2.65. The national average beat that price by 39 cents. 

"Over the last year, we've seen prices come down, inflation has decreased, and the economy has improved, and we've seen that with gas prices, too," said AAA Texas' Daniel Armbruster. 

The average in Travis County was sitting at $2.68 on Monday, Dec. 23.

"Here I stopped to get gas. It's at $2.69," said Burciaga. "I mean, that's as good as I'm going to get." 

One year ago, Texas spent about four cents more per gallon than it is today. 

"It's a little bit cheaper than it was a year ago, and these will be the lowest prices that we've seen since the pandemic," said Armbruster. 

Statewide, people filling up their diesel tanks paid an average of $3.05. However, those digits were up by 46 cents per gallon of diesel this time last year. 

"Don't be surprised if we see some price increases over the next few days just because so many people are traveling," said Armbruster. "Typically, what will happen after these major holiday periods, prices will start to come back down." 

According to AAA Texas, Texas has some of the cheapest fuel prices in the country. The only other states paying less for gas are Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.