MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Gas prices are continuing to decrease as the Fourth of July weekend approaches.
Across the country, on average, a gallon of gas costs $3.82, whereas a month ago, gas totaled to be $4.59 per gallon. Although gas prices have lowered this past month, in comparison to last year’s prices, gas is still 60 cents more expensive.
Crude oil has been one of the biggest deciding factors when it comes to gas prices. As crude oil continues to decrease, gas prices will, as well.
With an anticipated 72.2 million people expected to travel over 50 miles over the Fourth of July weekend, gas prices decreasing is certainly a good sign. While saying that, though, high gas prices have not prevented those from traveling over the holidays in the past.
“Historically, high gas prices don’t deter people from traveling,” AAA spokesman Jim Garrity said. “It just makes them more cautious about their money elsewhere, their daily driving habits, let’s say.”
As far as flying, an estimated 5.85 million people are expected to do so during this holiday weekend.
“We’re at AAA projecting 5.85 million people flying,” Garrity said. “A little bit more than last year, and about 8% of the people who are traveling, we expect to fly, so that’s a lot of folks. That’s a lot of people at the airport. I would just get to the airport a little bit earlier than you typically do.”
Although gas prices are still higher than last year, things are looking up for travelers, as prices continue to decrease.