Motorists get the gift of falling gas prices right before the holiday travel season begins on Dec. 22. Pump prices are forecast to decrease even more as millions prepare to take their holiday road trip.

Gas prices steadily declined since Nov. 1, when the national average was $3.51. The current national average is $3.26, 25 cents less. Prices in Covington are currently below the national average at $3.04.

"Although gas price averages are only a few cents shy of what motorists paid last year, prices are not expected to deter holiday travelers," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman of The Auto Club Group. "AAA forecasts more than 84 million Americans will hit the road for a holiday vacation this year and the good news is pump prices are expected to fall again this week. Some areas in the Southeast have already seen gas prices dip below $3 a gallon."

A barrel of oil settled Friday at $86.73 on the New York Mercantile Exchange - 80 cents more than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.26, 9 cents less than last week. Florida's average of $3.27 decreased 6 cents from last week. Georgia's average price of $3.18 and Tennessee's average of $3.05 both fell 8 cents last week, respectively.