As millions of Americans set out to drive, gas remains above $3-per-gallon

In its monthly gas price report released on June 30, the American Automobile Association predicted that holiday travelers will pay the most at the pump since 2008.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "With Independence Day only a few days away, today's national average price of gas is $3.68 per gallon. This average is considerably more expensive than recent years for the holiday. The national average on July 4 in previous years was: $3.48 (2013); $3.34 (2012); $3.57 (2011); $2.74 (2010); $2.62 (2009); and $4.10 (2008)," the report said.

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The AAA expects prices to remain high throughout the month of July, running from $3.60-$3.70 per gallon.

"Prices could climb higher if there are new developments in Iraq or a major hurricane," the AAA warns.

"Market fear about Iraq" is one of the reasons the AAA suspects of keeping prices from declining through June.

Even with gas prices remaining high, the AAA predicts that 41 million Americans will be traveling over the July 4 weekend-34.9 million of them by road.

These gas prices will extend the record number of days that the national average for gasoline has remained about $3-per gallon. Unless prices drop by nearly 70 cents, July 4 will be the 1,290th day above that mark.

In September of 2013, USA Today reported that for the first time ever, gas prices had remained about $3 a gallon for 1,000 consecutive days-with a start date of December 23, 2010. That three-and-a-half year streak has not been broken.

The West Coast has suffered the most, with regular gasoline priced about $4-a-gallon in the majority of places.

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