San Diego gas prices drop ahead of Thanksgiving travel

Filling up your gas tank in San Diego is getting more affordable, just in time for Thanksgiving holiday travel.

Driving the news: The average price for a gallon of gas is $5.25 as of this month, down 52 cents from October's average, according to GasBuddy.

• The sharp decline comes as local gas prices fell 44 consecutive days this fall.

Reality check: That's still nearly $2 more than the national average and prices are higher locally compared to this time last year.

What's happening: The drop in gas prices is related to lower demand and less expensive blends of winter gasoline, per USA Today.

• California introduced its winter blend earlier than usual this year, which contains more of a cheaper ingredient that helps cars start at lower temperatures.
• That can shave 15 to 20 cents off a gallon, according to Doug Shupe, AAA spokesperson in California.

The big picture: Prices are dropping nationwide, with the national average at $3.38, its lowest since January. And prices are expected to keep falling.

• While gas is more expensive in San Diego compared to last Thanksgiving, nationally prices have gone down.

• As such, drivers nationally could save nearly $1.2 billion during holiday travel compared to last year, according to Gas Buddy.

What they're saying: "More Americans are planning on hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holiday this year, and it's no wonder why," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a statement.

• "Average gas prices have plummeted in all 50 states in the weeks ahead of Thanksgiving, with $2.99 prices spreading like wildfire just in time for the start of the holiday season."