(NewsNation) — Relief at the gas pump may be on the way as the national average gas price is expected to fall to its lowest since 2020.

GasBuddy released its 2026 Fuel Price Outlook on Tuesday, where it predicted that the national average price for a gallon of gas is forecast to stay right around $3 for the year. The yearly average for a gallon of gas is expected to be $2.97, down from $3.10 in 2025.

Even though the prediction signals some relief from the highs seen earlier in the decade, GasBuddy said volatility tied to seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, hurricane season and ongoing geopolitical risks could still occur.

“The world has spent years recovering from the economic whiplash of the pandemic and the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the situation has been improving quietly since 2022,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

“As global central banks slammed the brakes on an overheated economy and new refining capacity came online, we’ve seen fuel prices ease year after year — a trend few would’ve bet on when chaos ruled the energy market. And 2026 keeps that momentum going. It’s not a return to ultra-cheap fuel, but for the first time in a long time, the wind is clearly behind drivers’ backs. If the market avoids major surprises, sustained averages below $3 per gallon could become commonplace in the year ahead,” De Haan added.

GasBuddy predicted the national diesel fuel price to be $3.55 per gallon for 2026.

The outlook also said drivers can expect to see prices increase toward the end of spring during the switch to summer gasoline, then after June, the prices will fall.