PHOENIX - Arizonans drive into the July 4 weekend celebrating cheaper gas prices.

Triple-A said that statewide, drivers are currently paying an average of $2.64 a gallon, a drop of 2.5 cents from last week.

The nationwide average for regular unleaded is $2.62 a gallon, a drop of nearly four cents from last week.

Triple-A said Arizonans filling their tanks prior to leaving town for the upcoming holiday weekend will spend about 35 percent less on fuel than they did this time last year.

Arizona drivers are paying a $1.45 a gallon less for fuel, compared to the state's all-time high fuel price of $4.09 a gallon on July 3, 2008.