by Calculated Risk on 6/24/2012 08:58:00 AM

The roller-coaster ride for gasoline prices continue ... remember when some forecasters were predicting $5 per gallon? Now we are seeing prediction of $3 per gallon.

From the Atlantic Journal Constitution: Expect gas prices to fall below $3

Is it possible the average price at the pump could be below $3 a gallon by the time leaves begin to change?

Absolutely, according to experts who follow fuel price trends, and some areas of Georgia have already broken the barrier. At one station in Macon on Friday, unleaded regular was selling for $2.90, and in Duluth and Suwanee prices were as low as $3.04 and $3.05, respectively.

Barring any unforeseen calamity that might disrupt production or distribution ... the price trend should continue, even with the arrival of summer and more vehicles on the road for vacations.

“[T]he market is suggesting gas below $3 by Halloween, and certainly by Thanksgiving,” Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service ...

There are always threats to the oil supply - Iran, a storm in the GOM, a strike in Norway, but right now it looks like prices will continue to decline with adequate supply and week demand growth.

Oil prices are still moving down. Brent is down to $90.98 per barrel, down another 10% over the last two weeks, and WTI is down to $79.76. The lower oil prices will not only lead to lower gasoline prices, but also a lower trade deficit and lower headline inflation (CPI).

The following graph shows the decline in gasoline prices. Gasoline prices are down significantly from the peak in early April. Gasoline prices in the west had been impacted by refinery issues, but prices are now falling there too.

Note: If you click on "show crude oil prices", the graph displays oil prices for WTI, not Brent; gasoline prices in most of the U.S. are impacted more by Brent prices.

Orange County Historical Gas Price Charts Provided by GasBuddy.com