TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2012) -- Retail gas prices are forecast to decrease throughout the end of the year. Both oil and gas prices dropped last week after the value of the dollar increased to a two-week high.

The value of the dollar increased against the euro after the Labor Department announced the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent in November and Germany cut its economic growth outlook for 2013.

"Both oil and gas prices are forecast to decrease again this week on the expectation demand will continue to fall from last year's levels as supplies climb," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "Although gas prices in the Southeast are still slightly higher than what motorists paid last year, the good news is they are expected to drop as the year-end holiday approaches."

A barrel of oil settled Friday at $85.93 on the New York Mercantile Exchange--$2.98 less than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.35, 4 cents less than last week. Florida’s average of $3.33 and Tennessee’s average of $3.13 also decreased 4 cents from last week. Georgia’s average price of $3.26 fell 2 cents last week, respectively. Visit AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report to find national, state, and local metro market retail gasoline prices.

Current and past gas price averages: National:

Current-$3.347

Last week-$3.4391

Last month-$3.456

Last year-$3.293

Florida:

Current-$3.332

Last week-$3.371

Last month-$3.385

Last year-$3.311

Georgia:

Current-$3.258

Last week-$3.281

Last month-$3.258

Last year-$3.228

Tennessee:

Current-$3.129

Last week-$3.167

Last month-$3.197

Last year-$3.121