RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Virginia has dropped below $3 a gallon. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average statewide price on Thursday was $2.98, compared to $3.14 in September and $3.16 a year ago. The national average price was $3.16 per gallon. In Richmond, the average price dropped from $3.05 in September to $2.86. Roanoke’s average price fell from $3.08 in September to $2.95. The average price in Charlottesville was $2.98, down from $3.11 in September. The Norfolk area’s average price was $3.02 a gallon, down from $3.16 in September. AAA Mid-Atlantic attributes the decline to several factors, including lower demand and uninterrupted refinery production.
