Minnesota gas prices fall to lowest for Thanksgiving travel since 2020

Minnesota ranked as the 21st cheapest state for average gas prices on Sunday, according to GasBuddy. But its statewide average was slightly higher than in neighboring states. In Wisconsin, gas cost $2.85, followed by North Dakota at $2.80, South Dakota at $2.78, and Iowa averaging at $2.75 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Leaders with AAA said in a news release they expect record-setting travel for Thanksgiving, predicting nearly 80 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles or more. That would be an all-time high for the holiday and roughly 1.7 million more travelers than last year.

The group also expects travel by car will beat records nationwide and in Minnesota.

The higher numbers are “driven by economic growth, declining inflation, and strong income gains, which is expected to boost consumer spending by 4.6% compared to this time last year,” the release said.

AAA recorded Minnesota’s average gas price at $3.11 a gallon on Thanksgiving Day last year. The national average was $3.26 on the holiday.