The average price U.S. consumers pay to fill their vehicles' gasoline tanks dropped below $3 a gallon for the first time in eight weeks, the government said Monday.

The national price for regular unleaded gasoline fell 2.7 cents over the last week to $2.98 a gallon, up 11.3 cents from a year ago but the first time the average pump price was below $3 since April 30, the federal Energy Information Administration said in its weekly survey of service stations.

Gasoline hit a record high of $3.22 a gallon May 21. Pump prices are falling because of growing gasoline inventories, thanks mainly to high motor fuel imports. Gasoline costs may rise again in July and August when summer vacation driving typically increases, the EIA has said.