Gasoline prices in the U.S. during this year's Thanksgiving weekend will be higher than the past two years, the U.S.' Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Wednesday.
The retail price for regular-grade gasoline averaged $2.57 per gallon (3.78 liters) as the U.S. heads for the Thanksgiving weekend.
This level is $0.41 per gallon higher compared to last year, according to the EIA, and $0.47 per gallon higher than in 2015.
In fact, 2015 and 2016 marked the first and second-lowest gasoline price levels for Thanksgiving since 2008 in the U.S.
While the average retail price for regular-grade gasoline was $2.10 per gallon in 2015, the retail price for gasoline averaged $2.16 per gallon in 2016, in the Monday prior to Thanksgiving when data was compiled, according to the EIA.
However, the EIA noted that, 'the Thanksgiving 2017 gasoline price is still the third-lowest since 2008.'
- More than 50 million people expected to travel
An estimated 50.9 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) or more during the Thanksgiving weekend this year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
This is the highest number of people expected since 2005, and 2.2 million more travelers since last year when 48.7 million people were on the roads, according to the AAA.
Out of the 50.9 million total travelers, 45.5 million are expected to drive - marking an increase of 2 million compared to last year.
By Ovunc Kutlu in New York
Anadolu Agency
ovunc.kutlu@aa.com.tr