INDIANA – Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, American road trip culture is expected to remain robust this summer, according to GasBuddy’s 2025 Summer Travel Survey and forecast released today. The fuel savings platform projects the national average price of gasoline to be $3.08 per gallon on Memorial Day, marking the cheapest start to the summer travel season since 2021 and, when adjusted for inflation, the lowest since 2003.
GasBuddy forecasts an average price of $3.02 per gallon for the entire summer period, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. However, the national average may dip below $3 per gallon on certain days, particularly towards the latter half of the season.
The survey indicates that 69% of Americans plan to embark on a road trip this summer, a slight decrease from the 76% who planned to travel last summer. Most travelers (32%) intend to take two road trips, with a significant 40% expecting to drive more than five hours to their destinations, demonstrating a continued commitment to travel despite economic pressures.
Memorial Day is set to be the most popular travel holiday, with 52% of travelers planning road trips, followed by Independence Day (42%) and Labor Day (35%). While half of travelers have already booked accommodations, the other half are maintaining flexibility, possibly to capitalize on last-minute deals or adjust plans based on fuel costs.
While 47% of respondents stated that gas prices are not impacting their travel plans, cost remains the top priority for summer travelers, surpassing destination and accommodations. A majority (54%) plan to pay for gas with a credit card, and many intend to utilize fuel-saving tools like GasBuddy, even willing to travel up to an extra mile to find cheaper gas.
“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. He added that travelers are becoming more strategic with spending, using tools like GasBuddy to save money on fuel, which can then be allocated to other travel experiences.
Memorial Day’s lower gas price forecast is attributed to reduced crude oil costs, increased oil production from OPEC+, and some economic uncertainty. As summer progresses and refinery maintenance concludes, the national average could drop below $3 per gallon.
