How low can gasoline prices go?

After relentless run-up, pump prices have made a sharp U-turn

After marching relentlessly higher this year, gasoline prices suddenly have made a sharp U-turn in the past few weeks. And analysts say consumers can expect even more relief at the pump in the coming weeks.

The average retail price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 11.8 cents last week to $2.73 per gallon, according to Energy Department figures released Thursday. That’s 34 cents lower than this time last year and the lowest level since April.

And gasoline inventories continued to build, making it likely the pump prices will continue to drop. Refineries are running at 93.6 percent of capacity