NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Retail gas prices slipped for the fifth day in a row, offering some much-needed relief to pinched consumers.

Auto group AAA reported the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline retreated to $3.610, down one-tenth of a cent from the previous day.

Before the recent retreat, pump prices had hit a record high for 17 days in a row, according to AAA.

A year ago, a gallon of gas cost on average $3.035, which is 19% lower than the price of a gallon of gas today.

While gas prices are on the decline, crude oil prices neared $121 in electronic trading on Tuesday, setting a new record high price for crude futures.