Driving down Highway 5 through Lake Elmo and a sign reads, “$2.49” for unleaded gas. Since September, gas prices have been steadily declining and, overall, have dropped an astonishing 29 cents. In December, prices have dropped under $3 in Minnesota. This is a common occurrence as gas prices are dropping around the country. The low gas prices have caused a rippling affect in holiday travel and spending.

According to GasBuddy.com, gas prices have a falling trend in Minnesota although gas prices vary around the state. The prices range from less than $2.31 to above $2.5. from the past years, where gas prices have been, on average, above three dollars.

Gas prices have a large affect on teens, especially those who pay for their own gas.

Senior Camila Correa said, “If [gas prices] are lower than more people drive because it’s more affordable and you can get more places for less, if it’s higher people tend to not go out as much.” She added, “Especially teens, if they can fill their tank for 10 bucks to go to a friends and around town, they will. But if it’s going to be 10 bucks for 2 gallons they won’t go as many places.”

The low gas prices in December are expected to boost holiday travel this season.

AAA Newsroom states, “Holiday travel is expected to total 98.6 million [people], an increase of four percent from the 94.8 million who traveled last year. Low gas prices continue to help boost disposable income this holiday season, with today’s national average price of gas at $2.53 per gallon, 70 cents less than a year ago.”

The price of gas is down because the price of crude oil is down to nearly $40 a barrel.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration gives a breakdown of the price of one gallon of gas. This includes taxes, distribution and marketing, refining and the crude oil itself.

As gas prices fluctuate on a daily basis, so do all the statistics and information that go along with the prices themselves.

Correa said, “I look at gas prices a lot. I think older people have this idea that as teens we don’t care, but honestly, I’m broke half the time and I get paid every two weeks. So it’s hard to manage gas now and it’s really cheap so if it goes up it’ll be harder and harder.”

The winter can also affect gas and how much people buy as people are more likely to keep their tank fuller in the winter so that it does not freeze in the tank.

Correa said, “I also look at it in the sense that in winter I don’t want less than half a tank because I’m scared it’ll freeze or that ill get lost and I won’t have enough gas to go places. So if I’m giving someone a ride I always make sure I have enough gas!”

Overall, gas prices are drastically falling around the country causing a rise in holiday travel.