Fact check: Gasoline just dropped down to $1.98 per gallon in US.

1. Summary of the results

The claim that gasoline has dropped to $1.98 per gallon in the US is demonstrably false. Multiple reliable sources confirm that:

• The national average gas price is currently around $3.10-$3.18 per gallon ^{[1] [2]}
• The lowest recorded price was $2.19 in Texas, not $1.98 ^[3]
• No gas station in the US was selling gasoline at $1.98 per gallon, with the lowest statewide price being $2.66 ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual factors are missing from the original statement:

• Gas prices show regional variations, with California experiencing significantly higher prices at $4.67 per gallon ^[5]
• Recent price declines are attributed to international oil production increases and economic factors, not US drilling policies ^[4]
• Market analysts predict prices may continue declining and approach below $3 per gallon, but not as low as claimed ^[6]
• The pricing system is complex and influenced by multiple factors beyond simple supply and demand ^[7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement appears to be part of a larger pattern of misinformation:

• The claim has been specifically linked to false statements by former President Trump about gas prices ^[2]
• The statement ignores structural and policy-driven reasons for gas price variations ^[5]
• Those who benefit from spreading such misinformation include:
• Political figures seeking to criticize current energy policies
• Those attempting to downplay the impact of international oil production on domestic prices
• Stakeholders trying to simplify complex market dynamics for political gain

The claim appears to be a significant misrepresentation of actual gas prices, as confirmed by multiple independent sources including AAA, GasBuddy, and various news organizations ^{[2] [3]}.