You might have noticed this at the pump already, but gas prices are beginning to drop, in North Carolina and nationwide – and it’s likely they’ll drop even further as we get into the fall.

“Right now in North Carolina, the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.28 – six cents cheaper than it was a month ago,” says Tiffany Wright of AAA Carolinas. “The downward trend is looking good, and I think it will continue.”

Wright says gas prices typically drop during the fall for several reasons: demand goes down after the summer driving season, and refineries are allowed to switch to a cheaper blend of gas. The price of oil is also falling this year, and that’s adding to the decline in gas prices.

And as we head into October and beyond, Wright says don’t be surprised to see gas prices dropping even further – even below $3.00.

“Of course we can’t predict the future, but it’s a real possibility that we’ll be seeing that in North Carolina,” she says.

The current statewide average of $3.28 per gallon is six cents cheaper than the national average, which is $3.34.