The November Consumer Price Index brought merry news for American drivers, as the gasoline index declined 2.0% from the previous month after rising 4.0% in October, according to the latest CPI data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gas prices were still up on an annual basis, though that could soon change.

                By                    Vance Cariaga

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The November decline in the monthly gas index marked the fourth month in the last five it has moved lower, as prices at the pump continue their steep drop from an all-time high set in June 2022. The index for natural gas also declined, falling 3.5% in November following a 4.6% dip in October.

On a year-over-year basis, the gasoline index rose 10.1%.

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The BLS’s November inflation numbers were released on Dec. 13. Overall inflation rose 0.1% for the month on a seasonally adjusted basis after increasing 0.4% in October. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 7.1% before seasonal adjustment.

As recently as June, the BLS’s gasoline index surged more than 11% month-over-month. Since then, however, the index has plummeted along with global oil prices.

The national average for a gallon of gas fell to $3.245 on Dec. 13, according to AAA. That’s down from $3.380 a week ago, $3.776 a month ago and $3.330 a year ago. Gas prices have sunk by more than one-third since hitting a record high of $5.016 a gallon on June 14.

Some experts say prices could plunge below $3 a gallon by Christmas — something that hasn’t happened in 20 months.

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“The seasonal pattern of less driving due to shorter days and crummy weather, combined with a lower oil cost, is driving gas prices lower,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a Monday press release. “If this trend continues, many states could see their average prices fall below $3 a gallon by early next year.” 

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