For the first time in almost four years, U.S. drivers are paying less than $3 a gallon at the pump. U.S. retail gasoline prices are averaging less than $3 today, AAA said in a statement. The Heathrow, Florida-based motoring group will post the price on its website tomorrow. That’s down from this year’s peak of $3.696 in April, and the first time the average has dipped below $3 since December 2010. Sliding prices are seen saving the typical consumer $500 a year and are coming just in time to boost spending during the holiday shopping season , according to analysts including IHS Inc. (IHS) The bonus at the pumps represents the biggest benefit to consumers to date from a record boom in domestic oil production that has contributed to a global crude glut and helped bring down international prices. “We’re in a new era of lower gasoline prices,” Phil […]