Gas Prices Dip Before Fourth of July

Fourth of July travelers are getting a break this year with gas prices taking a dip before the holiday.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Metro Detroit was $3.47 on Monday morning, down from $3.57 a week ago and $3.77 one year ago.

That's good news for drivers who plan to hit the road over the holiday travel period, which AAA defines as Tuesday through Sunday.

"AAA projects 42.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday weekend, a 4.9 percent increase over the 40.3 million people who traveled last year," AAA reports. "The expected 2012 Independence Day holiday travel volume will tie the past decade’s previous high mark set in 2007 and represents a near 42 percent increase from 2009."

Here are some of Monday's prices for a gallon of regular gas at a few Novi stations:

• Speedway on Haggerty Road & 14 Mile Road: $3.38
• Speedway on Haggerty Road & Eight Mile Road: $3.44
• Speedway on Pontiac Trail & Bekc Road: $3.46

Check the Novi Patch Commute page for to-the-minute gas prices and traffic.