Gas prices fall ahead of Fourth of July as millions prepare to travel

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Millions of Americans are expected to hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday, and while gas prices remain higher than they were a year ago, drivers are finally seeing some relief at the pump.

According to AAA, a record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Independence Day travel period. More than 61 million of those travelers are expected to drive.

The national average price for regular gasoline stood at $3.83 per gallon on Thursday, down nearly 50 cents from a month ago after crude oil prices fell in recent weeks.

In Southwest Florida, drivers are paying an average of $3.87 in Lee County, $3.91 in Collier County, and $3.84 in Charlotte County.

Not everyone plans to join the holiday traffic.

Cape Coral resident Duane Pettett said he’s choosing to celebrate closer to home.

“I just think it’d be more safe to stay at home and not take a chance of being out on the roads,” Pettett said.

Others are surprised so many people are still willing to travel despite the higher costs.

“I’m really surprised,” said Fort Myers resident Lizabeth Koenig. “How do they afford it?”

Christian Canal, who regularly travels across Florida for work, said rising fuel costs have made a noticeable impact on his monthly budget.

“Recently, when it comes to gas, the prices have just been going up and up,” Canal said. “You’re definitely seeing that in the pocketbooks.”

He estimated his monthly fuel bill has nearly doubled.

“It used to be about $120 a month,” Canal said. “Now it’s probably anywhere between $200 to close to $250 a month.”

Although AAA says lower crude oil prices have helped bring gasoline prices down since late May, Canal isn’t convinced they’ll stay there through one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

“I find that hard to believe,” he said. “I mean, it’s basic economics. You have more demand, obviously things are going to go up.”

AAA says despite the recent decline, gas prices remain about 70 cents higher than they were this time last year across Southwest Florida.