RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Virginia has dropped below $3 a gallon.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average statewide price on Thursday was $2.98, compared to $3.14 in September and $3.16 a year ago.(backslash)

The national average price was $3.16 per gallon.

In Richmond, the average price dropped from $3.05 in September to $2.86.

Roanoke’s average price fell from $3.08 in September to $2.95. The average price in Charlottesville was $2.98, down from $3.11 in September.

The Norfolk area’s average price was $3.02 a gallon, down from $3.16 in September.

AAA Mid-Atlantic attributes the decline to several factors, including lower demand and uninterrupted refinery production.

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