Labor Day gas prices down from 2012, travel up 4.2%

TAMPA, Fla. - Retail gas prices are expected to remain below last year's holiday average of $3.83 nationally, when close to 33 million Americans traveled during Labor Day weekend. This year, more than 34 million people are forecast to travel as the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is about 30 cents less than last year.

Gas prices have steadily dropped since mid July, with motorists in the Southeast paying some of the lowest prices in the nation.

"At this point, it looks like motorists will enjoy relatively low gas prices during the Labor Day weekend," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "Last year during this time, Tropical Storm Isaac drove gas prices close to $4 a gallon after Gulf refineries were forced to shut down."

The cost for a barrel of oil closed last Friday at $106.42 on the NYMEX - $1.04 less than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.54, the same as last week. Florida's average of $3.50 fell 1 cent, while Georgia's average of $3.46 rose 2 cents from last week. Tennessee's average of $3.32 also remains unchanged from last week. Visit AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report to find national, state, and local metro market retail gasoline prices.

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