8-cent drop in Delaware gas prices fuels optimism

Fueling up in the First State costs about $3.42 a gallon, down eight cents from the previous week.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says prices have dropped by about 40 cents since reaching their peak in early April.  The decline also comes as the summer driving season gets underway.  Crude oil prices have dropped about 17-percent in the past month, a large factor in the recent decline in prices at the pumps.  Analysts believe the trend toward lower prices could continue toward the 4th of July weekend, perhaps into late summer.  As of the start of the week, the national average for a gallon of gas is $3.54, $3.56 in southeastern Pennsylvania, and $3.40 in South Jersey.