WASHINGTON -- U.S. regular gasoline prices fell for the fourth week to an average of $1.945 per gallon down from $1.948 as of Monday, the U.S. Energy Department said.

Average national gasoline prices have declined since peaking Nov. 1st.

Prices also fell for the fourth-consecutive week for U.S. mid-grade gasoline, which nationally now averages $2.047 per gallon, and for premium gasoline, now selling for $2.142 a gallon.

Regionally, regular gas is selling for $2.157 a gallon on the West Coast, $1.979 in the Central Atlantic region, and $1.976 in New England.

Gasoline is cheapest alongn the Gulf Coast at $1.841 a gallon.

State by state, prices are highest in California, at $2.236 per gallon, followed by New York State at $2.090, and Washington at $1.998. Gas is cheapest in Texas at $1.821 a gallon.

City by city, regular gasoline is most expensive in San Francisco at $2.296, followed by Los Angeles, averaging $2.244 a gallon. Regular gas is cheapest in Houston, at $1.802 a gallon.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International