LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County decreased Sunday for the 19th consecutive day and 20th time in 21 days, dropping eight-tenths of a cent to $6.289.

The average price has dropped 17.1 cents over the past 21 days, including 1.1 cents Saturday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. The run of dropping prices follows an 18-day streak of increases totaling 36.9 cents.

The average price is 6.5 cents less than one week ago, but 2.3 cents more than one month ago and $1.969 higher than one year ago.

The Orange County average price also decreased for the 19th consecutive day and 20th time in 21 days, dropping four-tenths of a cent to $6.20. It has decreased 21 cents over the past 21 days, including 1.7 cents Saturday. The run of dropping prices follows a 17-day streak of increases totaling 35.1 cents.

The Orange County average price is 7.4 cents less than one week ago and 4.6 cents lower than one month ago, but $1.918 more than one year ago.

The dropping prices are continuing despite a gas tax increase of 2.8 cents per gallon that took effect Friday.

The national average price dropped for the 19th consecutive day following an 18-day streak of increases, decreasing 1 cent to $4.812. It has dropped 20.4 cents over the past 19 days, including 2 cents Saturday.

The national average price rose 41.5 cents during the 18-day streak of increases. It is 8.8 cents less than one week ago, but 5.1 cents more than one month ago and $1.685 higher than one year ago.