Jul. 3--Gasoline prices in South Carolina have been falling for nearly two weeks, but holiday road travel for the Fourth of July weekend still is expected to be 2.4 percent lower than last year, according to AAA Carolinas.

Bill Murphy of Cincinnati said he has noticed a big difference on the highways leading up to this July 4 holiday, compared with the same time last year.

On his way to Hilton Head, a trip he takes each year with his family, Murphy stopped to fill his tank at the Sunoco gas station off Reidville Road on Thursday. He said the roadways have been clear of traffic, although gas prices are down.

"I would've expected to see more people on the road even though it's not the holiday yet," Murphy said. "I hope it stays like this."

Susan Pruitt of Asheville, N.C., stopped to top off her tank Wednesday at the Spinx station at Highway 29 and Blackstock Road. She said gas prices kept going down as she got closer to Spartanburg.

"It hasn't been as bad as last year," Pruitt said. "I'm glad to see (gas) finally going back down."

More than half a million South Carolinians are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend, AAA Carolinas said.

But the recession, coupled with high unemployment and low consumer confidence, has contributed to a slump in expected motorists this July 4th holiday from 463,585 to 452,459, a drop of 2.4 percent.

Air travel is expected to increase 6.4 percent with 26,878 passengers taking to the skies, compared with 25,158 passengers last year.

It is the second straight year that July 4th holiday travel overall has declined.

The state's average price of gasoline last June 30 was $3.86.

Gas prices across the state average $2.44 for a gallon of regular unleaded, down from a recent high of $2.51 two weeks ago when they began to drop.

Myrtle Beach has the highest reported average price of gasoline this week at $2.55.

Spartanburg is expected to have the lowest gas prices in the state this weekend at $2.40 per gallon, down from $3.81 per gallon last year.

"Economic uncertainty, combined with the recent 62-cent increase in gasoline prices over 52 days and the July 4th holiday falling on a Saturday have all helped weaken motorist travel," David Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas, said in a statement. "The travel industry is still hoping to spur summer travel despite high unemployment in the region."

South Carolina suffered seven fatalities on the road last July 4th. The highway patrol will be on alert for drunk driving.

All construction on South Carolina highways will be halted for the weekend.

Motorists taking a trip can budget estimated gas costs for their personal vehicles by entering origin, destination and the make and model of their vehicle at www.fuelcostcalculator.com.

Local gas prices can be found at www.aaa.com/fuelfinder.

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