Find Cheapest Gas Prices In Bowie For Thanksgiving Travel

BOWIE, MD — This Thanksgiving, we can be thankful for steady gas prices in Maryland.

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, Wednesday's regular gas price average in Maryland is $2.487 — slightly up from last week's average of $2.471. It's also lower than the $2.59 national average and is similar to the $2.45 state average from last Thanksgiving.

While Maryland's average gas price is below the national average, Prince George's County has one of the highest prices in the state.

According to AAA estimates, Wednesday's regular gas prices in Prince George's County is $2.496. The counties with the highest average are Garrett and Allegany with $2.71. Wicomico County has the lowest gas price average: $2.41.

"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 Bowie as of Wednesday morning according to GasBuddy:

2.40 — BJ's

16520 Ballpark Rd near US-301

2.41 — Shell

7111 MD-3 N & Annapolis Rd

2.41 — Safeway

12410 Fairwood Pkwy near MD-450

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.”