Fourth of July Gas Prices Will Be Lowest In Years In Crofton

CROFTON, MD — Even as the nation's Independence Day approaches, the national average price for gas is nearing an all-time low for the year, according to travel organization AAA. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is about $2.24.

Maryland residents are paying even less than that, with a gallon of regular averaging a cost of $2.21 Thursday in the Old Line State.

With the Fourth of July coming up, the high-volume of travelers can potentially mean a small increase in holiday weekend gas prices. AAA forecasts 37.5 million American will drive to their holiday destination.

Despite the increase in travelers, gas price tracking website GasBuddy is predicting the lowest average Independence Day gas prices since 2005.

Heading into Independence Day weekend, gasoline is four cents less than a year ago. Here's a look at what Maryland counties let you fill up on the cheap Thursday:

• Baltimore: $2.18 for a gallon of regular gas
• Cumberland: $2.37 for a gallon of regular gas
• Hagerstown: $2.30 for a gallon of regular gas
• Salisbury: $2.05 for a gallon of regular gas
• Washington (MD only): $2.26 for a gallon of regular gas

Washington, D.C. ($2.46) and Pennsylvania ($2.45) lead the Mid-Atlantic region with the most expensive gas.

According to AAA, the price of gas has fallen for 24 consecutive days. Today’s national average is three cents cheaper than a week ago and eleven cents cheaper than a month ago.

AAA has online tools to help drivers save on gas:

• Fuel Price Finder locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• Fuel Cost Calculator helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile plots fuel prices along your travel route.