Local News

Reality Check: Cheap Thanksgiving Gas

November 24, 2015 / 5:06 PM CST / CBS Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- That trip on Thursday to Grandmother's house? It'll cost you a lot less this year.

Thanksgiving gas prices are the lowest they've been in nearly a decade. They could go even lower.

For Minnesota drivers, it's an unexpected surprise.

"It makes a huge difference for my family," said James Orvis, a limosine driver who depends on cheap gas for his business.

GasBuddy.com reports average unleaded gas prices nationally are $1.99 a gallon.

That's 82 cents a gallon less than Turkey Day 2014, and a savings of more than $16.40 for a 20-gallon fill up.

"I get to put more food on my table," said Jose Hernandez of Minneapolis, who said he saves $20 to $25 every time he fills up.

AAA estimates 46.9 million Americans will travel during the Thanksgiving weekend, the most since 2007.

And although prices are lower everywhere, they vary from state to state.

Minnesota -- $1.99 a gallon
Wisconsin -- $1.98 a gallon
Iowa -- $2.09 a gallon
South Dakota -- $2.08 a gallon
North Dakota: --$2.13 a gallon

The consumer's gain is Big Oil's loss.

Oil prices rallied Tuesday, but remain at their lowest levels in years -- at $45.92 a barrel.

And for Minnesotans, it's like getting a raise.

The cheapest gas in the country is in Indiana, at $1.80 a gallon. The most expensive is in California, where gas is $2.74 a gallon.

Sources For This Reality Check