As summer travel season kicks into high gear, Americans are poised to see a welcome relief at the gas pump. Experts forecast that gasoline prices could continue a downward trend throughout the coming months, possibly dropping below $3 per gallon nationally by September.

This would mark the cheapest summer for gas since 2021, a time when fuel prices were still recovering from the disruptions caused by the global pandemic. Despite a recent uptick in gas prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran has already led to renewed price stability, setting the stage for sustained relief at the pump.

The national average currently sits at $3.21 per gallon, according to recent federal data. However, industry analysts believe that figure is on the verge of a steady decline. The trend is bolstered by a combination of factors: refineries ramping up production, the switch to summer gasoline blends leveling off, and demand gradually easing following early-summer travel peaks.

Historically, fuel prices tend to soften during the later part of summer, and this year appears to follow that familiar pattern. Beyond short-term fluctuations tied to global events, fuel costs are also being eased by broader economic dynamics, including increased supply from major oil-producing nations and consumer behavior shifts.

When adjusted for inflation, today’s gas prices are among the lowest Americans have seen in two decades. On average, consumers now spend just 3% of their annual income on fuel,significantly less than in past years, thanks to both falling energy prices and rising wages.

Over the past year, gas prices have declined by about 12%, a drop largely attributed to fears of an economic slowdown and increased global oil supply. While future spikes are always possible in such a volatile market, energy analysts emphasize that most disruptions, be they hurricanes, conflicts, or infrastructure failures, are short-lived.