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After seeing gas prices peak above $4 per gallon this summer, consumers are starting to feel relief at the pump with prices dropping below $2.

About 15 gas stations in the Madison area reported regular, unleaded gas prices just under $2 per gallon by Sunday. Diesel fuel prices were all under $3 per gallon, according to Madisongasprices.com.

Four gas stations reported prices as low as $1.97 per gallon for regular gasoline.

Some of the highest prices in the Madison area were around $2.17 per gallon, still a dramatic improvement over the high fuel costs of the past summer.

“Average prices were about $4.19 over the summer,” said Andy Anderson, an employee at the Shell gas station at 1423 Northport Dr.

Although prices at the Shell station where Anderson works went down Saturday morning to $1.99 per gallon for regular gas, he noted people do not seem to be buying more gas than usual.

“I’m glad prices are going down. I have to pay the same prices as everyone else,” Anderson said. “But people still aren’t doing any [driving] they don’t have to do.”

University of Wisconsin students who have cars said they feel the prices will not affect their driving habits.

“High gas prices are pretty much a hardship,” UW junior Erica Nagy said. “Getting to work is complicated with the bus system, and I really don’t have an option but to use my car.”

While students agreed lower gas prices helped ease the cost of transportation and allowed them to drive more often, most said they would not be making any extra trips with their vehicle as a result of lower prices.

“They probably won’t affect how much I drive because I need my car to get to work,” UW sophomore Luke Ehlen said. “I walk quite a bit now, but the bus just takes too long for getting things like groceries. So I’d still drive even if prices went up.”

UW junior Moni Ouk agreed.

“I don’t really drive anywhere for no reason. If I have to go [somewhere], I have to go,” he said.

Nagy also said aside from an extra trip back home and slightly more trips to the grocery store, lower fuel prices wouldn’t change her driving habits much.

UW students, like Nagy and Ehlen, said they try to walk and take the bus as much as possible.

Ehlen said he usually spends about $50 a week on gas, while Nagy puts in about $35 each week, although she only puts in about $15 at a time.

“That’s all I can afford.” Nagy said. “Now, I just get more for that $15.”