Twenty states boast average gas prices below $3, spanning from New Mexico to Missouri to South Carolina. Mississippi, the state with the nation's lowest gas prices, offers drivers an average gallon for $2.71. More than 61 million people are expected to travel by car over the July 4 holiday, AAA forecasted.

The average fuel price in state declined about 19 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $4.09 on Dec. 23, 2024, and as high as $4.73 on April 7, 2025. A year ago, the average gas price in California was 4% higher at $4.54 per gallon.

Gasoline prices hovered at their lowest level since 2021 as the July Fourth holiday got underway.  On Friday, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.15 per gallon, according to AAA data.