Butler County residents have at least one thing to be thankful for this holiday season.

Just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, gas prices have dipped slightly.

“Gasoline prices have continued their slow decline in the last week across a solid majority of the United States, with the national average sagging to its lowest level since this past February,” Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst, said. “Many motorists may be giving thanks for the lower gasoline prices until they realize that average prices will still easily exceed prior Thanksgiving Day records.”

Average retail gasoline prices in Alabama have fallen 5.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.18 per gallon.

Nationwide gasoline prices have dropped 5.7 cents per gallon to $3.36, according to AlabamaGasPrices.com.

In Butler County, McKenzie has seen the largest dip in prices. Last week, a gallon of gasoline cost $3.29. This week the cost is down to $3.21, according to AAA.

Just down the road in Georgiana, motorists are paying $3.24 for a gallon of gasoline – a six-cent decrease from last week. In Greenville, the average cost for a gallon of gasoline is also $3.24. The cost a week ago was $3.27.

GasBuddy.com recently released a poll showing the smallest growth in holiday driving distance since it began surveying users in 2009. The poll also showed a 2 percent rise in the number of North Americans that would not drive at all for the holiday gathering.

“This certainly isn’t a shock given the higher gasoline costs, but it goes to show that few motorists reduce their holiday driving because of higher prices,” DeHaan said.