How to Find the Cheapest Gas During the Holidays in Northern Virginia

Doing lots of driving running those last-minute holiday errands to mail cards, buy gifts or pick up some egg nog? Or maybe you're driving a long distance and looking to fill up your tank before you leave Northern Virginia to head out of town.

National pump prices have risen for 20 of the past 21 days, rising a total of 11 cents during this span, according to a report by AAA. Prices continue to rise due to market expectations of tighter availability following the announcement of an OPEC deal to cut oil production that is scheduled to start in January 2017.

The average cost of gas in the United States on Monday is $2.24 a gallon, according to AAA. In Virginia, it's $2.12 on Monday, AAA reports.

Here's where you'll find the cheapest and most expensive gas in the country right now:

• The nation’s top five least expensive markets are: Arkansas ($2.02), Oklahoma ($2.02), South Carolina ($2.03), Missouri ($2.04) and Texas ($2.05).
• The nation’s top five most expensive markets are: Hawaii ($2.95), California ($2.67), Alaska ($2.62), Washington ($2.59) and (right next door) the District of Columbia ($2.54).

Here are two Web sites that track gas prices; to use them, just plug in your city and/or ZIP code and a list of gas stations, their addresses and gas prices will pop up.

• AAA Fuel Price Finder
• Gas Buddy

Find out how much your trip is going to cost you using the Gas Buddy Trip Cost Calculator.

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