U.S. gasoline prices have dropped to their lowest level since early January 2000, declining 4.4 cents over the last week to $1.265 a gallon, the Energy Department reported on Oct. 22. The latest national average pump price is down 29 cents from a year ago, based on the Energy Information Administration's weekly survey of more than 800 service stations. Regular unleaded fuel has not been this cheap since the week of Jan. 10, 2000, according to the EIA. The price of gasoline has dropped 26 cents a gallon since the Sept. 11 attacks due to a build in fuel supplies from a drop in demand because of a slowing economy and cheaper crude oil. The national average price for cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline, sold at about one-third of the stations in cities and smoggier areas, was down 4.6 cents to $1.355 a gallon. The West Coast continued to have the priciest gasoline in the United States, with prices in the region falling 3.9 cents a gallon to $1.505. Motorists in the lower Atlantic states again had the least expensive fuel. Prices in that region were down 4.6 cents to $1.163 a gallon. San Francisco retained the dubious honor of holding top spot among major cities in fuel costs, although gasoline prices fell 3.9 cents to $1.699 a gallon. Houston again was the best bargain in the nation, with gasoline down 4.9 cents to $1.181 a gallon. The report also showed gasoline prices in New York City dropping 3.1 cents to $1.372; falling 10.4 cents in Chicago to $1.325; and 5 cents lower in Los Angeles to $1.377. The nationwide price for diesel fuel dropped 3.5 cents to $1.318 a gallon, 33 cents lower than a year ago and the lowest level since mid-January 2000. Truckers in New England paid the most for diesel fuel at $1.42 a gallon, down 0.6 cents. The lower Atlantic states had the cheapest diesel at $1.239 a gallon, down 3 cents.