Mass. gas prices down 3 cents as U.S. oil production increases

Prices at the pump are down three cents this week, but remain 59 cents higher than the price at this time last year.

The price of $2.80 is, however, slightly lower than the national average of $2.84, but significantly higher than last year’s $2.21, according to auto club AAA Northeast.

The price of regular unleaded gas ranges in Massachusetts from $2.61 to a high of $3.09.

The state’s drop in prices reflects the country’s 3-cent drop, said Mary Maguire, AAA’s director of public and legislative affairs. 

Crude oil prices remain under $70 a barrel. That, coupled with an all-time high for domestic oil production, is acting as a buffer to price increases.