Gas can be had in Durango for less than $3 per gallon for the first time in recent memory.

Peerless Tyre Co. appeared to have the cheapest gas Friday, at $2.979 for a gallon of unleaded gasoline. Several other stations offered unleaded gas for $2.989 and $2.999.

Gasoline prices have been in a free-fall for weeks. Locally, regular unleaded gas has fallen 25.5 cents during the past month to an average of $3.07 by early Friday, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report.

That’s good news for local drivers like Ben Walker, 33. Walker said he is looking to save money on his commute from Durango to his workshop in Hesperus.

“I drive way too much,” he said.

Walker was buying gasoline at Peerless, but he said he was on his way to trade in his large SUV – a GMC Yukon XL – for something more fuel efficient.

“I need something a lot lighter than this to get around,” he said.

Eli Rosenbaum, 21, said he appreciates the lower prices.

“I don’t like spending money when I can help it,” he said.

AAA said Monday the national average price, $2.93 per gallon, was the lowest since Dec. 4, 2010. Analysts expect gasoline prices to remain low this winter.

The drop in retail prices comes after an equally precipitous fall in crude oil. West Texas Intermediate crude was trading for $75.25 per barrel midday Friday.

“If the gas prices start to drop, then people feel like they can travel more,” said Jack Llewellyn, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce.

He said more people may be willing to travel to Durango’s winter attractions, particularly Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort and the Polar Express train offered by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

“People have more discretionary income and feel like they can spend it on things like Christmas presents and holidays,” Llewellyn said.

cslothower@durangoherald.com