RIVERSIDE – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 21st consecutive day, having dropped 30.4 cents since hitting a record high more than a month ago, the Oil Price Information Service reported Monday.

The average of $4.31 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is 1.6 cents lower than the figure released early Sunday and 28.1 cents lower than last month. However, the average is $1.286 higher than at this time last year.

Experts have cited lower demand as a reason for the declining price.

The average hit a record high of $4.614 June 22.