Gas Prices Continue to Fall, Close in on $3 Near Marblehead

Gasoline prices in Massachusetts and on the North Shore near Marblehead continue to drop - down 6 cents from last week, according to AAA Southern New England.

The drops mirrors a national downward trend, the AAA said. Prices have dropped 17 cents per gallon in the past month and 24 cents in the past two months.

“Low demand combined with abundant supply has kept downward pressure on global oil prices, which is translating into lower prices for motorists at the pump,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Southern New England Director of Public and Legislative Affairs.

The average price for self-serve, regular unleaded gas statewide on Tuesday was $3.26 per gallon, down six cents from last week. A year ago at this time the Massachusetts average price was 12 cents higher at $3.38, according to AAA.

The Massachusetts average is 7 cents more than the national average for self serve unleaded of $3.19.

In Massachusetts, the average price for self-serve midgrade unleaded this week is $3.50 - down 19 cents in the past two months - and self-serve premium unleaded is $3.62 - down 20 cents in the past two months. The average for self-serve diesel is $3.70 per gallon, also a 20 cent drop in the past two months.

The range in prices in the latest AAA survey for unleaded regular in Massachusetts is 47 cents, from a low of $3.05 to a high of $3.53.

Gas near Marblehead can be found close to the lower end of the range, according to Gas Buddy. While there is no gas station in Marblehead, regular unleaded was selling for $3.13 per gallon at two places in neighboring Salem - Prime on Lafayette Street and Irving on Highland Avenue. The lowest priced gas in neighboring Swampscott is $3.23 at Gibbs on Humphrey Street.