Declining gas prices may be ending

Gas prices dropped again over the past week, but signs point to a looming end to the steady declines that started in June.

According to the AAA weekly report on Monday, the national average price per gallon dropped four cents to $3.67. In Florida, prices went from $3.43 last week to $3.40 and from $3.50 to $3.46 in Gainesville.

“All streaks have to end at some point, and the national average for a gallon of gas has fallen $1.34 since its peak in mid-June,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement. “But there are big factors tugging on global oil prices—war, COVID, economic recession, and hurricane season. All this uncertainty could push oil prices higher, likely resulting in slightly higher pump prices.”

With the seasons changing, most of the country is now switching over to the less-expensive winter blend gasoline, which has assisted with slight pump price reductions, according to the AAA.

Florida has the 15th least expensive average price at $3.40 per gallon. A month ago, the average cost was $3.54; last year it was $3.09.

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

• $3.26 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
• $3.27 at Circle K, 16130 NW US Hwy 441, Gainesville
• $3.29 at Circle K, 3424 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville
• $3.29 at Circle K, 3509 SW Willison Rd, Gainesville
• $3.29 at Sam’s Club, 4400 SW 33^rd Pl, Gainesville
• $3.31 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.34 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.35 at Shell, 6807 NE US 301, Hawthorne

The national average prices have declined since peaking at an all-time high of $5.01 per gallon on June 14. Florida’s highest average peaked at $4.89 on June 13, while Gainesville hit $4.91 on June 15. 

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: Connecticut (−14 cents), Indiana (−13 cents), Rhode Island (−13 cents), Massachusetts (−12 cents), Ohio (−11 cents), West Virginia (−11 cents), New Jersey (−11 cents), New York (−10 cents), New Hampshire (−10 cents) and Maine (−10 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($3.10), Louisiana ($3.13), Texas ($3.17), Georgia ($3.17), Arkansas ($3.19), Tennessee ($3.22), Alabama ($3.24), South Carolina ($3.25), Kentucky ($3.27) and Missouri ($3.32).