Gas prices drop lower, still below $2

Drivers can breathe a sigh of relief at the pump this week.

Gas prices are still low and dropping lower, a national trend that reflects locally.

The average price for a gallon of fuel in Miami fell four cents from last week, dropping to a Sunday average of $1.86, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Nationally, prices fell about the same amount, which took the national average to $1.69.

Last year on this date, Miami drivers would have shelled out more than 51 cents extra per gallon.

AAA reports that gas prices have fallen steadily for 40 of the past 45 days at nearly half-a-cent per day.

“Gas prices continue to hover at levels unseen since 2009, largely due to the lower crude oil prices and minimal disruptions in supply,” said Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA - The Auto Club Group, in a statement. “Oil and gasoline supplies are at their highest levels on record, which should prevent upswings in pump prices until refinery maintenance season begins.”

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 7:27 AM with the headline "Gas prices drop lower, still below $2."