DANVILLE, Va. – Thanks to lower gas prices, AAA predicts Virginia roads will be busier this Fourth of July than they've been in 16 years.
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Virginia is nine cents cheaper than this time last year.
The national average is also down, which has AAA predicting 1.2 million Virginians will travel at least 50 miles for the holiday.
Gas stations along Riverside Drive in Danville have been busy over the past week and a half with people preparing for Fourth of July trips.
While the pumps are busier, for stations like the Marathon and BP the holiday rush is having an even bigger impact.
"We've had a lot more people getting oil changes and (asking us) to check the other stuff, getting ready to go on a trip," said Marathon owner Lawrence Woodson.
For some travelers, the low gas prices are nice but aren't causing them to travel anymore than they otherwise wouldn't.
"I think in this particular case, it wasn't much of a factor," said Eric Misenzahl, who was traveling from New York with his wife.
In Danville, the current price for a gallon of gas at most stations is between $1.80 and $1.90.
Danville is not one of the areas in the state in which AAA tracks gas prices, but of the areas that the organization does track, as of Monday the cheapest gas was in the Norfolk area, with an average of a $1.97 a gallon.
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