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(Graphic Provided)

SPRINGFIELD -- Nearly 43 million Americans will travel this July Fourth weekend, an increase of 5 million from last year and a new all-time high for Independence Day travel, according to AAA estimates released Monday.

Marshall Doney, AAA president and CEO, said in a news release:

"Spurred by the lowest gas prices since 2005, more people than ever are planning to travel this Independence Day weekend. Whether they're traveling by car, plane, train or cruise ship, it will be exciting to see so many Americans celebrating our nation's freedom with their friends and family over the long holiday weekend."

The previous travel record of 38 million was set in 2015.

Despite record demand, AAA predicts record low gas prices. For the national average, gas prices as of June 20 were 46 cents per gallon below prices from a year ago. That's the lowest Independence Day gas price since 2005.

Locally, a gallon of regular is averaging $2.27, according to AAA's online Gas Gauge database. That's about the same as the price a week ago and a penny lower than the $2.28 average of a month ago. The price of gas was higher at $2.77 a gallon a year ago.

The record high was $4.08 a gallon in July 2008.

In other findings from AAA:

Surveys on consumer sentiment

Independence Day

Air travel

Travel by other modes

AAA bases its estimates on research done for it by IHS Global.