Average retail gasoline prices in Michigan have fallen 11.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.89 per gallon Sunday.

This compares with the national average that increased 1.4 cents per gallon in the past week to $3.91 per gallon, according to gasoline price website MichiganGasPrices.com.

Prices April 8 were 4.6 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 4.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.

The national average has increased 16.8 cents per gallon during the past month and is 17.2 cents per gallon higher than one year ago.

“Gasoline prices in the hardest-hit areas have finally shown signs of relief, with gasoline prices falling now in Chicago as they have for a few weeks in California,” said Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. “We’re beginning to see refinery utilization rise, indicating refineries are coming out of maintenance and boosting production.

“If we continue to see utilization rise at domestic refineries, we may see an earlier peak than we have in prior years.”