The national average price of regular gas fell to $3.97 on Tuesday, slipping below $4 for the first time since July 19 and giving drivers a break at the pump after a 113-day stretch above that mark.
For Mary Howland, that meant a quick decision to fill up. She said she was excited that gas was under $4 a gallon and added that it is always a little cheaper on Tuesdays, which made the timing feel especially welcome.
The move matters because AAA said the 113-day run at or above $4 was the second-longest on record. The only longer one lasted 158 days, from March 6 to August 10, 2022, a span that came after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Elizabeth Carey said the driver behind the drop is simple: oil prices are falling and that is being passed along to motorists. She also said winter gasoline is usually less expensive than summer fuel because the winter blend is cheaper to make and demand is lower in cold months. That helps explain why prices often ease at this time of year, even when the change is not dramatic everywhere at once.
Still, the relief is uneven. AAA said some places were still charging more than $4, including $4.25 in Lowville for cash customers. John Scanlon said gas in Watertown was 40 cents a gallon cheaper than in Clayton, and Nathan Terrell said prices in his area are comparable to what he sees in Alaska. Those gaps show why some drivers keep shopping around, combining trips or switching vehicles to save money when they can.
What happens next is the part drivers care about most. The national average is now below $4, but the market is still sensitive to oil prices, seasonal demand and how quickly the savings reach every town.
The national average may keep drifting lower if those pressures continue to ease, but for now the bigger story is that the $4 barrier finally broke and not every community is feeling it the same way.
