Amid the gloom of the economic meltdown, there is at least one bit of good news: Gasoline prices are dropping to levels that haven't been seen in about a year.

Missouri's average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.81 on Monday, down 73 cents from just a month ago.

A year ago, the statewide average was $2.55 per gallon, and some markets are approaching that level. Springfield's average price is
$2.56. It is $2.69 in St. Joseph, $2.70 in Kansas City and $2.92 in Columbia.

St. Louis has the highest average price in Missouri - $3 per gallon - but it is down more than a dime over the past few days. St. Louis stations sell reformulated gasoline aimed at reducing air pollution.

Missouri's highest-ever average daily price for regular unleaded was $3.95 on July 16, 2008.

Experts say the pump price is the result of declining crude oil and wholesale gas prices.