BOSTON (AP) – The average cost for a gallon of gasoline in Massachusetts declined by 13 cents over the past week, returning prices to pre-Hurricane Katrina levels.

AAA Southern New England reported Monday that self-serve regular unleaded averaged $2.58 per gallon statewide, compared to nearly $2.71 a week ago and $2.81 in the Oct. 10 survey.

The average price had been nearly $2.62 in the weekly survey before Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, damaging key components in the nation’s oil infrastructure and sending gas prices to record highs.

Gas prices peaked at more than $3.20 a gallon in the weeks following Katrina, and have been steadily declining as damaged gasoline supply and distribution systems recover.

AAA’s survey found that prices Monday ranged from $2.38 per gallon to nearly $2.89.

AP-ES-10-24-05 1109EDT