PORTLAND – Gas prices have plunged 82 cents over the past month in Maine, and it appears that the downward plummet isn’t over.

AAA says the statewide average on Tuesday was $2.38 per gallon, down from $3.20 a month earlier. The average price peaked at $4.14 on July 16.

Pat Moody, spokesman for AAA of Northern New England, says his organization is optimistic that prices will continue downward, dropping below $2 per gallon.