There is a ray of light in the middle of dark economic times as gas prices tumble downward.

Many stations are below three dollars-per-gallon for the first time in months and it'll get even better before it gets worse.

It may be tough to tell on busy roads but we're guzzling less gas and it's paying at the pump.

Tanya Ley says, "Saving a couple extra bucks here and there kind of counts a little more than it used to."

A bad economy is translating into less demand for oil, allowing local stations to crack the three dollar mark for the first time in months.

There's no question dropping below three dollars-per-gallon is good news for everyone hitting the road, but it gets even better than $2.99.

One PDQ Station is all the way down to $2.97 and that's not the best of it. Right across the street a Sinclair Station is down to $2.96 and that has them awfully busy.

Joe Sulik says, "This is actually my second trip to the station. I filled up my other car about 5 minutes ago."

Experts say prices will probably continue to drop through Thanksgiving.

In Wisconsin we've dropped 77 cents in the last month alone according to AAA.

Julie Foley says, "I can't remember the last time it was below three-dollars-per-gallon but isn't it a sad state that we are excited about $2.97 a gallon?"

Maybe sad, but no doubt a true sign of our times.

Foley says, "Every cent that we earn at this point and time, with the economy as it is, goes to paying our necessary expenditures."

At least there's one price flowing in the right direction.

Industry analysts say enjoy it while you can because once the economy improves and demand resumes, prices will very quickly spike again.

For a little perspective, just one year ago at this time our average price was only $2.83 per gallon.