That pickpocket at the pump is getting a bit less greedy as the autumn goes on.

Gas prices, scourge of the auto-dependent consumer and the carbon-burning economy, have fallen in metro Atlanta from a mid-summer crest of $3.69 a gallon for regular to an average of $3.24 a gallon as of Wednesday, according to Gas Buddy.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, at least 15 stations in metro Atlanta were selling regular gasoline for less than $3 a gallon, Gas Buddy said. Not a lot less, but the marker is significant – as is the trajectory: Crude oil is the main driver of gas prices and recent drops in the price of crude have not yet made it through the pipeline to the pump.

That news is at least modestly good for consumer spending and economic growth going into the holiday season: Atlanta drivers and businesses can expect to have some extra disposable income.

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