NORTHEAST OHIO - Gas prices fell seven cents in Northeast Ohio this week, according to AAA East Central's Gas Price Report.

This week's average price for the region is $3.333, down from last week's number of $3.408.

It's also 75 cents less than the same time a year ago when the average was $4.084.

In the Mahoning Valley, Niles has the lowest price per gallon at $3.299, followed by Youngstown at $3.319.

While the average gas price per gallon fell in Northeast Ohio, the same can't be said for the nation as a whole.

The national average rose seven cents since last week to $3.47. The increase comes even as demand and the global cost of oil have decreased as of late.

According to data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand fell from 9.11 million barrels to 8.56 million per day. Gasoline stocks were also down last week by 1.1 million barrels.

AAA reports the higher prices are mainly due to the switch to summer blend gasoline which can add five to ten cents per gallon.