U.S. Pump prices at low since December 2011

U.S. Pump prices at low since December 2011

The price of gasoline is the lowest in nearly two years, an early holiday gift for U.S. drivers.

The nationwide average for gas is now $3.21. It hasn’t been that low since December 2011. Five states — Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas — have averages below $3 a gallon.

Gas has fallen 38 cents since Labor Day, a period in which oil prices declined by about $14 a barrel. In addition, a relatively calm hurricane season has meant no major storm-related disruptions at the nation’s big refineries.

AAA earlier this week forecast the national average could drop to $3.10 by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the price of oil rose 40 cents Friday to close at $94.60 a barrel. Encouraging data on U.S. employment was offset by the possibility of a loosening of sanctions against Iran by the West.

Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose $1.66 to $105.12 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.