Where To Find Best Gas Prices In Route 1 Corridor For Christmas 2022

BELLE HAVEN, VA — Many DC area residents are hitting the roads to attend holiday gatherings as Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa are being celebrated now and in the coming week. For those driving, gas prices will be lower than peak prices earlier in 2022 and slightly below 2021 holiday prices.

According to AAA, the current gas price average in Northern Virginia is $3.115. That's down from $3.546 a month ago and $3.296 a year ago. The highest recorded average in Northern Virginia was $5.048 on June 15.

That trend is happening nationwide, as AAA noted Monday around 20 states have gas price averages below $3.

"The cost of oil, gasoline’s main ingredient, has been hovering in the low-to-mid $70s per barrel, and that’s $50 less than the peak last Spring," said Andrew Gross, an AAA spokesperson. "Combined with low seasonal demand, gas prices could slide a bit more before leveling off."

The gas pumps will be busy as AAA estimates 2.5 million Washington-metro area residents will travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2. Transportation analyst INRIX had predicted Dec. 23, 27, 28, and Jan. 2 will be the worst travel days in the U.S. But some may alter travel plans now that forecasters warn about a rapid freeze happening after rain Friday, Dec. 23.

Regardless of when you head out, you may want to check which gas stations give you the best bang for your buck. Below are current gas prices around Fairfax County's Route 1/Richmond Highway corridor from GasBuddy.com.

• $2.87: Costco (members only), 7940 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA
• $2.92: AmeriGo (cash), 6134 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, VA
• $2.97: BP (cash), 5700 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA
• $2.99: Citgo, 6241 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA
• $2.99: Liberty, 6149 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, VA
• $3.16: Sunoco, 1201 Belle Haven Rd., Alexandria, VA