AAA: Prices at pump drop across nation

Gas prices nationwide dropped with Florida seeing a 13 cent decrease and the Gainesville area down nine cents per gallon.  

The price per gallon around Gainesville is at $3.44 on Thursday, down from last week’s $3.53. Statewide, the price went from $3.52 to $3.39. The average price dropped from $3.76 to $3.64 across the U.S. 

According to the AAA release sent Thursday, domestic pump prices were still in decline despite the uncertain oil market due to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. Oil prices rose only a few dollars per barrel, but it wasn’t like the $40 per barrel spike following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  

“As long as this war does not spread to include more countries in the region, the effect on the oil market will remain muted,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “Here in the US, there are now nine states with some county gas averages below $3 a gallon, and this number will likely increase in the coming weeks.” 

New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand increased from 8.01 to 8.58 million barrels per day (b/d) last week while total domestic gasoline stocks fell by 1.3 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 225.7 million bbl. Lukewarm demand coupled with descending oil prices pushed gas prices lower.  

Thursday’s national average of $3.64 is 19 cents less than last month’s $3.83. Last year’s price was $3.92. 

Florida has the 18^th least expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.59 per gallon and last year it was $3.38 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.71 per gallon and last year it was $3.40.

According to gasbuddy.com, here are the lowest prices to fill up in Alachua County:   

• $3.19 at CITGO, 809 N. Main St., Gainesville
• $3.27 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd Ct., Gainesville
• $3.27 at Circle K, 4565 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.27 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $3.27 at Marathon, 3936 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville
• $3.27 at Pure, 405 NE 1^st, High Springs
• $3.27 at Circle K, 5708 NW 34^th St., Gainesville
• $3.28 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.29 at BP, 15295 NE US Highway 301, Waldo

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: California (−23 cents), Nevada (−19 cents), Arizona (−18 cents), Iowa (−16 cents), Indiana (−16 cents), Texas (−15 cents), Oklahoma (−15 cents), Michigan (−15 cents), Minnesota (−15 cents) and Washington (−14 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Georgia ($3.10), Mississippi ($3.11), Texas ($3.14), South Carolina ($3.16), Alabama ($3.16), Delaware ($3.17), Louisiana ($3.18), Tennessee ($3.19), Ohio ($3.21) and Arkansas ($3.23).