GasBuddy: U.S. pump average near $4.06 — could fall below $4 next week

The national average price of gasoline stood at about $4.06 a gallon early Friday and could dip below $4 for the first time since July as soon as next week, GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan told CBS News.

Brent crude traded near $97.44 a barrel Thursday after falling below $100, while West Texas Intermediate was around $90.42. De Haan pointed to eased tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and seasonal winter-blend fuel as additional pressure on pump prices. Gulf Oil adviser Tom Kloza separately told CBS he expects the average below $4 within about 10 days.

Diesel could fall below $6 a gallon by Thanksgiving, De Haan predicted. The forecast lands the same morning as a much stronger-than-expected October jobs report.