GasBuddy, the fuel savings platform, forecasts the national average price of gasoline to be $3.08 per gallon on Memorial Day. That would make it the cheapest since 2021 in real dollars. After adjusting the price for inflation, it would be the lowest since 2003.
Gas prices are expected to remain in the range of $3.02 to $3.10 a gallon until Labor Day unless something disrupts the oil market.
According to GasBuddy’s 2025 Summer Travel Survey, 69% of Americans plan to take a road trip this summer, which is lower than the 76% of respondents who planned to travel last summer. The average traveler is planning multiple journeys. The majority (32%) intend to take two road trips this season.
Memorial Day leads with 52% of travelers planning road trips, followed by Independence Day at 42% and Labor Day at 35%.
These numbers are good news for Williams and the Grand Canyon as virtually all our visitors travel by road to reach Williams. However, there is cause for concern as consumers have shown they intend to cut back on some expenses, including travel.
According to the Gas Buddy survey press release;
“While we’re forecasting the lowest summer gas prices in years, economic jitters are slightly dampening optimism — but we still expect a robust travel season, with millions of Americans hitting the road, many for extended trips,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Rather than canceling plans, travelers are becoming more strategic with their spending. GasBuddy’s tools help them find the best fuel prices along their routes, potentially saving families $20 to $40 per trip — money that can be spent making memories instead of filling up. In addition, remaining aware of a change in gas prices as motorists cross state lines and keeping cool behind the wheel this summer will stretch more miles out of every tank.”
While lower gas prices should be a benefit to the number of travelers to Williams, many hotel operators are reporting summer bookings that are down in the range of 10% to 16%. Many hotel owners point to the large tax increase imposed on hotel guests by the current City Council as one reason for lower hotel bookings.
The Grand Canyon did not make it on AAA’s top 10 Memorial Day Weekend destinations this year.
Biden era gas prices in Williams
