Aleece Way, FOX 48

ALEXANDRIA, La. — Alexandria area residents are celebrating more than America's birthday this week.

The price for gas under $3.00 per gallon, which has spread from New Orleans to Baton Rouge northward, now has finally hit Central Louisiana. However, the prices in the Miss-Lou area are still over the $3.00 mark.

In Alexandria, Tobacco Plus on North Mall Drive, Murphy's USA at Walmart SuperCenter on La. Highway 28 West and Kroger on MacArthur Drive at Jackson Street all promoted self-serve unleaded gas at $2.99. Kroger also offers drivers with Kroger Plus consumer reward cards a 10 cent discount.

According to smartphone app Poynt, Miss-Lou residents will have to drive some 25 miles or more to get gas under the $3.00 mark.  In Meadville, Miss., Jubilee Short Stop has the cheapest gas, at $2.95 per gallon.  In Ferriday, La.,  the Circle K offers gas at $3.08.  In Natchez, five stations offer gas at $3.09 per gallon, including Wal-Mart on Sgt. Prentiss Drive, where they also offer a 3 cent discount for drivers when they use an in-store gift card.

On the Website FuelGaugeReport.com, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline today is $3.08 per gallon in Louisiana.  In Mississippi, it is cheaper – $2.99 per gallon. Nationwide it is $3.33.

However, some gas stations in Alexandria still have prices above the state average.

The statewide average in Louisiana a month ago was $3.34 and a year ago was $3.32, according to FuelGaugeReport.com. The national average a month ago was $3.59 and a year ago was $3.57.

If you see gas stations near your home offering gas under $3.00 per gallon, send them to us at community@fox48tv.com, or through FOX 48's Facebook page.