Gas prices fall, but still much higher than in 2011

Although average retail gasoline prices in Iowa fell four cents per gallon in the past week, they still remain considerably higher than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy.com, retail prices in Iowa averaged $3.82 per gallon on Sunday. That compares with the national average that has fallen just over four cents in the last week to $3.81 per gallon, according to gasoline price website IowaStateGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Iowa the past week, prices Sunday were 31.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 14.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased by nearly nine cents per gallon during the last month and stands 29 cents per gallon higher than on this day one year ago.

?The national average has begun to drop nicely over the last week, and while it certainly doesn?t feel like much, it?s noteworthy,? said Patrick DeHaan, GasBudy.com senior petroleum analyst.

?Oil prices were all over the map last week, closing in on $100/bbl one day and dropping to $92/bbl later in the week. I?ve probably had more double takes watching oil prices in the last week than I?ve had all summer. Watching oil prices last week was as wild as watching the Detroit Tigers try to take a division lead over the White Sox,? DeHaan added.