Georgia drivers are getting some welcome relief at the pump just as one of the busiest travel periods of the year approaches.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Georgia is now $3.64 per gallon, down 11 cents from a week ago and 38 cents lower than a month ago. However, prices remain about 70 cents higher than this time last year. A typical 15-gallon fill-up now costs Georgia drivers approximately $54.75.

“Georgia drivers are seeing some welcome relief at the pump just as one of the busiest travel periods of the year gets underway,” said Garrett Townsend, Public Affairs Director for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The recent decline in gas prices is helping ease travel costs for families planning summer road trips. While current prices are encouraging for holiday travelers, motorists should continue to monitor local prices and plan ahead to maximize their fuel savings.”

AAA reports that the national average for regular gasoline has dropped below the $4-per-gallon mark for the first time since late March, falling to $3.93 per gallon, a decrease of 14 cents over the past week.

Locally, Northwest Georgia motorists are also seeing lower prices. AAA’s most recent county averages show:

• Chattooga County: $3.79 per gallon
• Floyd County: $3.74 per gallon
• Walker County: $3.72 per gallon
• Gordon County: $3.74 per gallon
• DeKalb County, Alabama: $3.93 per gallon
• Cherokee County, Alabama: $3.88 per gallon

Among Georgia’s metro markets, the most expensive areas for gasoline are Macon ($3.75), Savannah ($3.74), and Athens ($3.68). The least expensive markets are Dalton ($3.41), Albany ($3.45), and Brunswick ($3.48).

With record numbers of travelers expected to hit the road for the Independence Day holiday, AAA encourages drivers to compare prices before filling up, plan routes in advance, and take advantage of fuel-saving tools such as the AAA TripTik Travel Planner and Fuel Price Finder.