Gas Prices Continue Decline

Gas prices dropped for the fifth straight week as the summer driving season motors on in advance of the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to the latest AAA survey. 

The survey reports that the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.58 on Sunday, down from $3.65 a week ago, yet still 83 cents more than a year ago.

In Maryland, regular unleaded went for $3.61 a gallon on Sunday, 7 cents less than a week ago and $1.08 more than a year ago.

The news of falling gas prices comes as AAA forecasts 39 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, a 2.5 percent decline from the 40 million people who traveled a year ago.

The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4.

In addition, AAA predicts approximately 32.8 million people plan to travel by automobile—a decline of almost a million auto travelers from the 33.7 million who drove last year.

Automobile travel remains the dominant mode of transportation (84 percent of holiday travelers), despite gasoline prices about a dollar per gallon more expensive than a year ago in many parts of the country. According to AAA, a survey of intended travelers found that 56 percent said rising gasoline prices would not impact their travel plans.

“As motorists gear up for the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend, they have undoubtedly noticed the recent decline in gas prices,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Ragina C. Averella in a statement. “Prices at the pump have dropped nearly 40 cents per gallon since peaking in early May, and they remain more than 50 cents lower that the all-time record set nearly three years ago. 

"AAA expects gas prices will average between $3.50 and $3.60 a gallon through the Independence Day weekend and continue to decline in the coming weeks, especially with influx of crude into the market from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.”

Here are the cheapest gas prices in the Essex-Middle River area, according to MarylandGasPrices.com: