Holiday Fuel Relief.
Gas Prices Decline Across States, Offering Relief for Fourth of July Travelers.
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Birmingham-area gas prices show a wide intra-city spread this week, with a low of $3.15 and a high of $3.99 per gallon, an 84-cent gap, as the city average falls to $3.43 (down 12.7¢). Nationally, prices slid about 6.9¢ to about $3.78, with declines in 46 states, according to GasBuddy.
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Georgia's average for regular unleaded is $3.56, seven cents lower than last week and roughly 30 cents below the national average of $3.86; AAA projects about 61.4 million car travelers for the July 4 holiday period (June 27–July 5).
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Chattanooga-area prices have fallen to an average of $3.22, down 15.5 cents in the past week, with state prices ranging from $2.82 to $4.39; nearby areas show Knoxville at $3.29, Tennessee at $3.34, and Huntsville at $3.40. GasBuddy notes the nationwide decline and that the national average remains about $3.78.
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Peoria, Illinois, is averaging $4.11 after a 13.1-cent drop; the cheapest station was $3.76 and the most expensive $4.39. AAA Illinois reports Peoria/Pekin at $4.16, the state average at $4.12, and the national average at $3.86.
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GasBuddy cautions that volatility could return near the holiday as U.S.-Iran tensions add uncertainty; a handful of price-cycling states could see prices jump ahead of July 4, while non-cycling states may continue to see relief.
Gas prices are falling across most of the United States just days before the Fourth of July, giving drivers some relief ahead of a record-breaking holiday travel season. The national average dropped 6.9 cents to $3.78 per gallon, with prices falling in 46 states, according to GasBuddy.
The declines follow a mid-June diplomatic breakthrough that helped reopen the Strait of Hormuz after months of disruption tied to U.S.-Iran tensions. But analysts warn the relief may not last. GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, called the situation "anything but predictable," noting that a handful of states could see prices jump before July 4.
Southern States See the Steepest Drops This Week
Chattanooga, Tennessee, saw one of the biggest weekly drops in the country — down 15.5 cents to $3.22 per gallon, according to WDEF News 12. Across Tennessee, prices range widely, from a low of $2.82 to a high of $4.39. Nearby Knoxville averages $3.29, and Nashville sits around $3.40.
Birmingham, Alabama, is averaging $3.43 after a 12.7-cent drop. Prices within the city alone span from $3.15 to $3.99 — an 84-cent gap. Georgia's statewide average is $3.56, seven cents lower than last week and about 30 cents below the national average reported by AAA.
61 Million Drivers Head Out Despite Still-High Prices
Even with prices well above last year's levels, Americans are hitting the road in record numbers. AAA projects 61.4 million car travelers for the July 4 holiday period, running June 27 through July 5. That is 85% of all holiday travelers choosing to drive rather than fly.
The push to drive makes sense when airfare is averaging $830 per ticket, according to AAA. AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters urged Georgia drivers to fill up early, as demand tends to spike when families leave for the holiday. The current $3.56 Georgia average is still about 41 cents higher than this time last year.
Midwest Pays More as Illinois Averages $4.11 Per Gallon
Drivers in Peoria, Illinois, are paying $4.11 per gallon after a 13.1-cent drop this week, according to WJBC. The cheapest station in the area sells gas for $3.76, while the most expensive charges $4.39. The Illinois statewide average sits at $4.12, compared to the national AAA figure of $3.86.
The Midwest gap reflects a broader national divide. Gulf Coast states average around $3.52, while West Coast drivers are paying over $5.00 per gallon. Ohio and Indiana fall into what analysts call "price-cycling" states — places where prices can jump 15 to 20 cents overnight, even as the rest of the country sees relief.
Iran Ceasefire Fragile as Holiday Weekend Approaches
The recent price drops trace back to a mid-June deal that reopened the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 25% of the world's seaborne oil passes. Before the deal, Iranian forces had blocked the strait since late February, stranding roughly 2,000 ships and sending gas prices surging for months. A June 28 "halt of hostilities" agreement stabilized markets just before Monday's trading opened.
But the peace is shaky. A commercial tanker was struck in the strait on June 27, and U.S. aircraft responded with strikes on Iranian drone and radar sites. Analyst Fabien Yip told Al Jazeera that markets may have "run too quickly on ceasefire optimism." Brent crude partially rebounded to $73.21 Monday morning. GasBuddy warns that a single incident in the Persian Gulf could push prices up 20 to 30 cents overnight.
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