RALEIGH-- North Carolinians are going to be celebrating our nations freedom this year with record breaking numbers. Tiffany Wright with AAA Carolinas says 1.2 million residents are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home to celebrate the holiday this weekend.

She says there are multiple reasons for the high numbers.

"Typically something that's in the middle of the week you don't get nearly as much traction. But when you are talking about a Saturday, where a lot of people are already off anyways that are off weekends that just heightens the volume," she says.

Wright says the relatively low gas prices are encouraging people to drive to their destinations. She says compared to last Independence Day North Carolinians are saving an average of 91 cents a gallon at the pump.

She says the lowest gas prices can be found in High Point at an average of $2.53 a gallon, and the highest in Asheville at $2.71 a gallon.

Wright says the top driving destinations for North Carolinians are Orlando, Florida; New Bern; Williamsburg, Virginia; Branson, Missouri and Fort Bragg.