Gas prices have been trending downward since the summer and are significantly cheaper than prices from the first half of this year. Tuesday’s national average price for a gallon of regular gas is the lowest on record since May 2021, when the average cost was $2.985 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration. Since then, gas prices skyrocketed, becoming a financial burden for everyone in the country, with average prices climbing to over $3 per gallon and, for a short time, even over $4 per gallon.

For most of Joe Biden’s term, gas prices have been higher than ever. After hitting a peak in 2022, including the highest national average price in the country’s history, the cost of gas began to fall later in the year. Prices rose again in 2023 before hitting a peak in April 2024. Gas prices gradually began to decline in May 2024.  

However, even with the substantial decrease in gas prices over the last half of the year, prices remain higher now than when President-elect Donald Trump was in office between January 2017 and January 2021. With Trump set to take office on Jan. 20, 2025, it remains to be seen what effect his presidency will have on gas prices.Meanwhile, gas prices continue to fluctuate nationwide. Hawaii has the most expensive gas prices at $4.559 per gallon. Meanwhile, Oklahoma has the least expensive gas at $2.517 per gallon. Click here to see the cost of gas in different states. Read below to see the average prices for a gallon of regular gas in and around Washington, D.C.

Delaware

The average price for a gallon of regular gas continues to decrease in Delaware, falling to $2.857 on Tuesday. This was a nearly one-cent drop from Monday’s price of $2.866. Prices fell nearly ten cents from a week ago, when regular gas in the First State cost $2.942 per gallon. Prices in the state are also less expensive than a month ago, when Delaware residents paid $2.958 per gallon for regular gas.

Maryland

Similar to Delaware, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Maryland also dropped on Tuesday, falling to $2.969. This was a very slight decrease from Monday’s cost of $2.973. Tuesday’s price was also less expensive than a week ago, when residents in the state paid $3.034 per gallon for regular gas. For the last month, gas prices in Maryland have hovered around the $3 per gallon price point. As such, Tuesday’s price was less expensive than 31 days ago, when a gallon of regular gas in Maryland cost $3.048.

Virginia

The average price for a gallon of gas in Virginia also decreased on Tuesday, falling to $2.889. This was a drop of over three cents from a week ago, when a gallon of regular gas cost Virginians $2.925. Gas prices in the state fluctuated in November but ultimately ended up on a downward trend. As a result, Tuesday’s price is cheaper than regular gas in the state a month ago, when it was $2.99 per gallon.

Washington, D.C.

Gas prices in Washington, D.C., continue to be an outlier in the region, with a price of $3.233 for a gallon of regular gas. This was the same price as Monday and ever-so-slightly less expensive than a week ago, when regular gas cost $3.24 per gallon. Overall, regular gas prices in the nation’s capital have fluctuated between $3.23 per gallon and $3.31 per gallon over the last 31 days. As such, Tuesday’s price fell in that range but was less expensive than a month ago, when a gallon of regular gas cost $3.268.