Find Cheapest Gas Prices In DC For Thanksgiving Travel

WASHINGTON, DC — This Thanksgiving, we can be thankful for steady gas prices in D.C.

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, Wednesday's regular gas price average in Virginia is $2.710 — $0.028 up from last week's average of $2.682. It's quite a bit higher than the $2.589 national average, but it is down quite a bit from the average of $2.807 from last Thanksgiving.

According to AAA estimates, Wednesday's average gas price in D.C. of $2.710 places it even higher than areas in expensive Northern Virginia — Alexandria was the highest at $2.539.

"AAA Mid-Atlantic estimates that nearly 1.35 million Washington, D.C. metro area residents will travel 50 miles or more Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with 1.2 million traveling by car, representing 91 percent of all holiday travelers," said AAA spokesperson John Townsend. "This will mark the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005. For the majority of Americans, AAA expects gas prices to be fairly similar to last year's Thanksgiving holiday."

If you're filling up the tank on the way to Thanksgiving dinner, you may want to consider which areas have the lowest prices.

Here are the best gas prices in D.C. as of Wednesday morning according to GasBuddy:

2.31 — Costco

2441 Market St NE near Ft Lincoln Dr NE

2.31 — CITGO

3820 Minnesota Ave NE & Blaine St NE

2.33 — Shell

3830 Minnesota Ave NE & Clay Pl NE

AAA predicts that 55 million people will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving, a 2.9 percent increase over last year.

Good gas prices may play a part in the high volume of traffic. But a strong economy is likely the main cause for the increase in travel this year.

“Millions of thankful Americans are starting the holiday season off right with a Thanksgiving getaway,” said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel, in the statement. “Strong economic fundamentals are motivating Americans to venture out this holiday in near-record numbers. Consumer spending remains strong, thanks to increasing wages, disposable income and household wealth, and travel remains one of their top priorities for the holiday season.”