Gas prices continue to drop heading into the Independence Day weekend. Prices statewide have dropped almost nine cents per gallon over the last week to $2.44. The national average price is $2.29 per gallon, which is in line with the prices in Nashville. Despite being in the middle of the summer driving season, prices have continued to drop since reaching almost $2.70 earlier in the month. Analysts say this could be the cheapest gas prices on Independence Day since 2005, and they expect prices to continue to remain steady or decline into autumn when demand goes down and the accompanying cheaper gas in the winter. It should be noted that an unforeseen impact to the supply chain like a hurricane could disrupt this trend.