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.

But gas prices statewide are trending downward. This week, AAA says the state average is $3.20, $0.41 lower when compared to last year.

New Jersey gas prices are cooling ahead of the July 4th weekend — when nationwide a record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel domestically.