SAN DIEGO – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County fell for the 17th consecutive day and has dropped 26.5 cents since hitting a record high, according to figures released Thursday by the Oil Price Information Service.

The average of $4.365 is 2.2 cents lower than the figure released early Wednesday and 24.9 cents lower than last month. However, the average is $1.259 higher than at this time last year.

Experts have cited lower demand as the reason for the declining price.

The average hit a record high of $4.63 June 19.