PROVIDENCE – Gasoline prices have fallen for the first time in 11 weeks as the cost of a gallon declined by 1 cent in Rhode Island, AAA Southern New England reported today.

The auto club’s June 29 survey found the average price of self-serve, unleaded regular at Ocean State stations was $2.69 per gallon. Though down by a penny from the average last week, the price of gas has risen by $1.03 since the start of the year.

The cost of gas has surged this spring as the market price of crude oil has risen, but there are growing signs that prices are hitting a ceiling amid a grinding global recession.

The International Energy Agency said today it expects global demand for crude oil to remain below last year’s levels until 2012, according to Bloomberg News. “The deep economic recession that has spread worldwide in the past year has taken a severe toll on oil demand,” the agency said in the report. “This marks a break after several years of strong oil demand growth.”

In its survey today, AAA found prices in Rhode Island ranging from $2.53 to $2.79 per gallon for unleaded regular. At $2.69, the average price per gallon in Rhode Island is 6 cents higher than the average price nationwide of $2.63.

A year ago, gas prices in Rhode Island were near an all-time peak (not adjusted for inflation) at $4.09 per gallon, according to AAA.

In Massachusetts, the survey found the average price of self-serve, unleaded regular was $2.61 per gallon, down 2 cents from last week and also 2 cents below the national average.

At stations in Rhode Island this week, the survey found average self-serve prices of $2.82 per gallon for midgrade unleaded, $2.94 for premium unleaded gasoline, and $2.70 for diesel. The latter two prices were unchanged from last week.

Gas prices would increase further in Rhode Island if Gov. Donald L. Carcieri signs the 2009-2010 budget proposal passed last week by the General Assembly.

The measure would increase the state gasoline tax by 2 cents per gallon starting Wednesday, the first day of the fiscal year. The additional revenue would be directed to the R.I. Public Transit Authority.