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ATLANTA— Prices at the pump continue to sink, providing relief to inflation-weary consumers and an economy mired in a slowdown.
The national average for regular gasoline dropped three cents to $4.16 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA. That marks the 50th consecutive day of falling prices. Utah's price Wednesday is $4.78.
Gas prices have tumbled by 86 cents since hitting a record average high of $5.02 on June 14. Over the past month alone the national average is down by 65 cents.
Nineteen states have average gas prices below $4, including Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin, according to AAA.
The steady decline in gas prices has been driven by multiple factors, including recession fears that have knocked down oil prices and the fact that some Americans cut back on driving when gas prices spiked above $5 a gallon.
"When people pay and they see $100 for the bill, they panic and become apoplectic," said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service.
Kloza also credited the unprecedented release of emergency oil by the Biden administration from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, though he conceded it's difficult to quantify the impact.
When people pay and they see $100 for the bill, they panic and become apoplectic.
–Tom Kloza, Oil Price Information Service.
No matter the cause, falling prices at the pump give a boost to consumers grappling with high prices on food, rent and everyday items.
Although the average price nationally is $4.16 a gallon, Kloza noted figure is lifted by high prices in places like California. The median price, on the other hand, is $3.99, according to the Oil Price Information Service.
Some analysts argue prices will continue to dip, especially as the summer driving season winds down.
"This streak has more room to run," said Kloza.
Andy Lipow, president of consulting firm Lipow Oil Associates, expects the national average will drop to $4.10 a gallon in the next seven to 10 days and $4 by Labor Day.
