BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- It may be a little less painful to fill up your car today.

Nationally, the average price of regular-grade gas has dropped 9 cents over the past three weeks, bringing the national average to $2.84 per gallon. That's 17 cents less than it was a year ago.

In Bakersfield, gas prices fell about 8 cents this last week, averaging out to $3.87 per gallon.

Lower crude prices contributed to the drop.

Some good news for diesel users too, that price has fallen 4 cents since May 17.