Average gas price falls below $1.80
AAA survey declines for 78th straight day, with gas above $2 a gallon in only 3 states.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The average gas price in the United States fell below $1.80 a gallon Thursday for the first time since early 2005, according to a daily survey of gas station credit card swipes.
Regular unleaded gasoline lost 1.4 cents to sell at a national average of $1.789 a gallon, down from $1.803 Wednesday, according to motorist group AAA.
Gas prices have fallen for 78 days in a row, with the national average plunging more than $2 a gallon. Prices are down 56.5% from the record high of $4.114 a gallon touched on July 17.
The national average gas price last hit $1.789 was Jan. 12, 2005.
Gas remains above $2 a gallon in only 3 states, according to AAA.
The average price in Alaska, the most expensive state, was $2.74 a gallonge, while the average price was $2.627 in Hawaii, and $2.145 in New York. Gas was cheapest in Missouri, where it sold at an average price of $1.553 a gallon.
Diesel: The price of diesel fuel, which is used in most trucks and commercial vehicles, has also fallen along with gasoline.
The price fell 1.8 cents Thursday to a national average of $2.722 a gallon, according to the AAA survey.
Diesel prices have fallen more than $2 a gallon as well, down from a record high of $4.845 on July 17.
Ethanol: Meanwhile the price of E85, an 85% ethanol blend made primarily from corn, turned higher, gaining 1.2 cents to $1.578 a gallon on average, AAA reported.
E85 can be used in place of regular gas in specially configured "flex-fuel" vehicles, but is not readily available in some states.
The AAA figures, compiled by Oil Price Information Services, are state-wide averages based on credit-card swipes at up to 100,000 service stations across the nation. Individual drivers may see lower fuel prices in different areas of each state. 
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