NORTHEAST OHIO - After a few weeks of increasing prices at the pump, AAA East Central is once again reporting on pump prices decreasing by 15 cents this week.

This week, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in Northeast Ohio is $3.779 compared to last weeks $3.924. Last year's average during this week was $3.255.

In Youngstown, the average price is $3.729 per gallon and in Niles the average price is $3.645 per gallon. The national average is $3.88 per gallon.

AAA says lower demand for gasoline amid increasing supply and fluctuating oil prices has contributed to pump prices dropping.

At the close of Friday's formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $3.50 to settle at $85.61 per oil barrel. Concerns regarding a possible recession led to a drop in the price of crude oil.

Additionally, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that total commercial crude inventories have increased by 9.9 million barrels to 439.1 million barrels.

Meanwhile, domestic demand for gasoline has decreased as fewer drivers fueled up during the first half of October. The EIA reports gasoline demand decreased nationally from 9.47 million barrels per day to 8.28 million barrels per day. 

Total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 2 million barrels to 209.5 million barrels.