Gas prices in Michigan ahead of July 4 are dropping after setting a 2025 record high, AAA – The Auto Group announced Monday.

The price stands at $3.26 for regular unleaded, which is 143 cents more than a month ago and 42 cents below the same time in 2024, officials said.

Motorists in the state are paying an average of $48 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline.

Average gasoline prices in Detroit have fallen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.25 Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 1,734 stations. Prices are 17 cents higher than last month and 33 cents lower than a year ago.

“The national average price of gasoline has resumed its decline, with falling prices driven by easing tensions in the Middle East — just weeks after those same tensions had pushed prices higher,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a news release Monday.

“For motorists planning to hit the road for Independence Day, gas prices are expected to continue falling nearly coast to coast in the lead-up to July 4. Relief could expand as the holiday weekend approaches, with the national average on track to hit its lowest July 4 level since 2021 at $3.15 per gallon, we project. As long as tensions in the Middle East remain contained and the U.S. avoids a major hurricane, we could see the national average fall below $3 per gallon later this summer.”

New data from the Energy Information Administration shows gasoline demand climbed from 9.29 million barrels per day to 9.68 million. Total domestic gasoline supply declined from 230 million barrels to 227.9 million. Gasoline production remained flat, averaging 10.1 million barrels per day.

The EIA reports crude oil inventories dipped by 5.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 415.1 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 11% below the five-year average for this time of year, according to officials.

Roadways are expected to be busy with a record high 2.4 million Michiganders forecast to hit the roads over the holiday week. Drivers across the state will be paying less for gasoline than they did last year on July 4, when the state average was $3.60.

GasBuddy price reports show that on Sunday, the cheapest gas station in Detroit and lowest price in the state Sunday was $2.59. The most expensive price in the city and the state was $4.84.

The national average price of gasoline decreased 4 cents compared to last week, averaging $3.14 on Monday, according to GasBuddy. AAA reports the country’s price at $3.19.

The national average price of diesel increased 3 cents in the last week and stands at $3.68 per gallon, officials said.

Metro Detroit’s current average is $3.27 per gallon, a 2-cent decrease since last week and 33 cents less than the same time 12 months ago.

The most expensive gas price averages are in Lansing ($3.30), Saginaw ($3.29) and Ann Arbor ($3.29). The least expensive gas price averages are in Marquette ($2.99), Flint ($3.22) and Traverse City ($3.22).

“Drivers preparing to travel for Independence Day will be seeing cheaper prices at the pump this year,” said Adrienne Woodland, AAA’s spokesperson, in the release. “Gas prices will likely face upward pressure as demand increases ahead of the holiday.”

mjohnson@detroitnews.com