AAA Says Gas Prices Keep Falling; Down 42 Cents Since Reaching Highest Price This Year.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The nationwide average price of self-service regular gasoline is continuing to fall and is 42 cents lower than it was on August 7; the date prices reached their highest point this year of $3.036 per gallon.

Today's nationwide average price is $2.613 per gallon, according to AAA's daily, on-line Fuel Gauge Report (http://www.aaafuelgaugereport.com). Prices have not been this low since April 7 when the national average price was $2.609 per gallon.

AAA said the recent sharp decline in the price of oil has helped push gasoline prices lower. Lower prices for both oil and gasoline are coinciding with the end of America's summer driving season and a sense this year's Atlantic hurricane season will not live up to the dire forecasts issued earlier this year.

Consumers should not be lulled into a false sense of security as gas prices drop, the nation's largest organization for motorists and other travelers warned. Gasoline priced at $2.60 per gallon is not a bargain in historical terms, and most of the issues that have been pushing prices higher this decade remain with us.

The average price of self-serve regular was $3.014 one month ago. One year ago the price was $2.967 per gallon, AAA said.

According to AAA, Hawaii has the highest average gas price in the nation at $3.278 per gallon. Idaho and Nevada have the next highest average prices; at $2.97 and $2.956 per gallon respectively.

Ohio has the lowest state-wide average gasoline price in the nation at $2.309 per gallon. Missouri has the next lowest price at $2.316 per gallon, followed by Oklahoma with an average gas price of $2.359 per gallon.

Nationwide, the price of self-serve, mid-grade gasoline averages $2.775 per gallon, a decline from $3.2 per gallon in the middle of last month, and down from $3.147 one year ago. Self-serve premium averages $2.874 per gallon nationwide; down from $3.316 one month ago. Premium averaged $3.263 per gallon at this time last year.

The national average prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline for AAA's mid-September survey for the last five years are: 2005, $2.967; 2004, $1.857; 2003, $1.687; 2002, $1.408; and 2001, $1.537.

AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information. AAA purchases the data and makes it available free on the Internet as a public service. Average daily prices for the nation, all 50 states and more than 250 localities are available for all grades of gasoline, making the site the most current and complete public source of fuel price information.

As the nation's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at http://www.aaa.com.