VALDOSTA — Gas prices in South Georgia continued to creep downward over the past week, matching national and state trends.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Valdosta Friday was $2.88, down two cents from the previous week, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The lowest recorded gasoline price in the Azalea City Friday was $2.73 per gallon at several stores; in Tifton, the lowest price that day was $2.77 per gallon, again at more than one retailer, according to the price tracking website gasbuddy.com.

Valdosta had the eight-lowest gas prices Friday among the 15 Georgia markets monitored by AAA: Lower than Savannah, Macon, Hinesville, Columbus, Brunswick, Augusta and Athens but higher than Warner Robins, Rome, Gainesville, Dalton, Catoosa and Athens.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline Friday was $3.52 per gallon, down four cents in seven days, while Georgia’s average of $2.98 per gallon was down five cents in the same period, the auto club said.

“The oil market is very sensitive to global events, and fears of a widening war in the Middle East is keeping oil prices elevated for now,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Domestically, drivers will likely see pump prices keep up this slow slide toward the holidays.”

In Friday’s market action, benchmark U.S. crude oil for December delivery rose $2.33 to $85.54 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for December delivery rose $2.55 to $90.48 a barrel.

Wholesale gasoline for November delivery rose 5 cents to $2.31 a gallon. November heating oil rose 1 cent to $3.05 a gallon. November natural gas fell 5 cents to $3.16 per 1,000 cubic feet.