The average retail price for a gallon of gasoline in Arkansas decreased 1.2 cents in the past week to $3.16 per gallon. The national average decreased 3.7 cents to $3.39 per gallon.

Prices in Arkansas are 8.9 cents lower than one month ago and 3.2 cents higher than a year ago. Nationally, prices are 11.3 cents lower than one month ago and 10.0 cents higher than a year ago.

Though prices continue to fall across the nation, it's nearly a mathematical certainty that 2012 will set an all-time record high for gasoline prices. Current prices would need to fall to $2.35 per gallon for every day remaining in 2012 for the average to equal 2011's yearly average.

Analysts have lowered forecasts slightly for Christmas, with prices expected to average between $3.25-$3.35 per gallon, but no other significant increases or decreases in gasoline prices  are anticipated in the short term at this point.

Local & Regional Prices

Magnolia    $3.19

Springhill, La.    $3.15

Camden    $3.15

El Dorado    $3.17

Hope    $3.07

Texarkana    $3.07

Shreveport-Bossier City    $3.01

Malvern    $3.08

Hot Springs    $3.01

Little Rock    $2.96

Jackson, Miss.    $3.01

Fayetteville    $3.07

Dallas-Ft. Worth    $2.93

Memphis, Tenn.    $2.95

Jonesboro    $3.12

Published: 12/05/2012