• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
gas prices

A Christmas miracle? Gas prices could soon fall to $2.50 a gallon

By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 8, 2014, 6:30 PM ET
<h1>Chevron</h1>
<br />
Like Exxon Mobil, Chevron relied on its refineries to hold up its bottom line in 2012. When oil prices were climbing, integrated energy companies were urged to dump their low-margin refining units. But Chevron and Exxon didn't listen, and when crude prices dropped, the hedge paid off. Profits at Chevron's U.S. downstream operations jumped by a third year over year on increased supply of domestic energy. That wasn't enough to keep overall profits from slipping, however, as big bets on upstream ops, like natural gas exploration, have yet to pay off.<em> --T.Z.</em>
<h1>Chevron</h1> <br /> Like Exxon Mobil, Chevron relied on its refineries to hold up its bottom line in 2012. When oil prices were climbing, integrated energy companies were urged to dump their low-margin refining units. But Chevron and Exxon didn't listen, and when crude prices dropped, the hedge paid off. Profits at Chevron's U.S. downstream operations jumped by a third year over year on increased supply of domestic energy. That wasn't enough to keep overall profits from slipping, however, as big bets on upstream ops, like natural gas exploration, have yet to pay off.<em> --T.Z.</em>Courtesy: Chevron

Drivers may get a nice Christmas present this year: Even cheaper gasoline.

Average national fuel prices could drop to $2.50 per gallon by Dec. 25, AAA said Monday.

Since the peak price of oil in April at $3.70 per gallon, there’s already been over a $1 per gallon drop. Today, the national average is $2.67, according to the AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

That’s the lowest price for oil since Feb. 23, 2010. The report also suggests that the average could dip below 2009 levels in the next few days.

Since just last week, the price of a gallon of gas is down nationally by an average of a nickel, according to AAA.

In New York, gas prices average $3.08 and $2.98 in California, according to AAA. In Florida, drivers pay an average of $2.70 and only $2.44 in Texas and Mississippi.

Prices at the pump are dropping because of a sharp decline in oil prices, in part because of increased production in the United States. Last month, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) decided to maintain current production levels despite calls by some member countries to drop it.

For an in-depth explainer on why oil prices have dropped so precipitously over the last few months, check out this recent Fortune article.

About the Author
By Benjamin SnyderManaging Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Benjamin Snyder is Fortune's managing editor, leading operations for the newsroom.

Prior to rejoining Fortune, he was a managing editor at Business Insider and has worked as an editor for Bloomberg, LinkedIn and CNBC, covering leadership stories, sports business, careers and business news. He started his career as a breaking news reporter at Fortune in 2014.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Trump speeds review of psychedelics after Joe Rogan texted him about ibogaine. ‘Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it’
PoliticsHealth
Trump speeds review of psychedelics after Joe Rogan texted him about ibogaine. ‘Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it’
By Matthew Perrone, Seung Min Kim and The Associated PressApril 18, 2026
4 hours ago
The jet-fuel surge is making global flight connections disappear
EnergyAirline industry
The jet-fuel surge is making global flight connections disappear
By Danny Lee, Kate Duffy, Sri Taylor and BloombergApril 18, 2026
5 hours ago
Putin finally admits Russia’s economy is in trouble and grasps for answers, after warnings about a financial crisis have been piling up
EconomyRussia
Putin finally admits Russia’s economy is in trouble and grasps for answers, after warnings about a financial crisis have been piling up
By Jason MaApril 18, 2026
5 hours ago
A bizarre insurance scam was exposed as ‘clearly a human in a bear suit’ damaging luxury cars
Lawfraud
A bizarre insurance scam was exposed as ‘clearly a human in a bear suit’ damaging luxury cars
By The Associated PressApril 18, 2026
7 hours ago
The record-setting U.S. drought is so bad that 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West are parched
North Americaclimate
The record-setting U.S. drought is so bad that 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West are parched
By Seth Borenstein and The Associated PressApril 18, 2026
7 hours ago
U.S. extends waiver on Russian oil sanctions to ease Iran war shortages, just days after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruled it out
EnergyRussia
U.S. extends waiver on Russian oil sanctions to ease Iran war shortages, just days after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruled it out
By The Associated PressApril 18, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

'We should absolutely be concerned about non-college-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
Economy
'We should absolutely be concerned about non-college-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
By Catherina GioinoApril 18, 2026
20 hours ago
The power has swung back to employers—and workers are paying for it in benefits, flexibility, and leverage
Workplace Culture
The power has swung back to employers—and workers are paying for it in benefits, flexibility, and leverage
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezApril 17, 2026
1 day ago
Older millennials are starting to act like boomers in the housing market—and pulling away from the pack
Real Estate
Older millennials are starting to act like boomers in the housing market—and pulling away from the pack
By Nick LichtenbergApril 17, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of April 17, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of April 17, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 17, 2026
2 days ago
Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it
Environment
Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it
By Sydney LakeApril 15, 2026
4 days ago
MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $26 billion—but it's barely made a dent in her net worth because of the power of Amazon shares
Success
MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $26 billion—but it's barely made a dent in her net worth because of the power of Amazon shares
By Sydney LakeApril 18, 2026
11 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.