CAMARILLO Calif.-- Retail gasoline prices fell nearly 7 cents nationwide in the past two weeks, for a total drop of more than 28 cents a gallon since Sept. 7.

The average retail price of a gallon of gasoline, including all grades and taxes, was $1.28 on Friday, down 6.61 cents from Oct. 19, the Associated Press reported, citing data from the weekly Lundberg Survey of about 8,000 stations nationwide. The average retail price of gasoline nationwide was $1.56 a gallon Sept. 7.

The falling prices were the result of lower crude oil prices, plentiful supply and weak demand, analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday. Retail gasoline prices are now at their lowest point in two years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Gasoline cost $1.60 a gallon in November 2000 and $1.31 a gallon in November 1999.

Lundberg said prices could stay low through the end of the year if the economy continues to worsen and driving is curtailed, and if the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries does not decide to cut production at its meeting next week.

The national weighted average price of gasoline, including taxes, at self-serve pumps Friday was about $1.24 a gallon for regular unleaded, $1.35 for midgrade and $1.44 for premium.