Florida gas prices increase

After nearly two straight months of steadily dropping gas prices around the state and in the Gainesville area, Florida saw the second-highest jump in the nation this past week.

According to Thursday’s AAA report, the cost per price gallon of gas shot up 14 cents in Florida – second only to Oregon’s 16-cent increase – and in the Gainesville area the price went up 15 cents to $3.46.

Florida jumped from having the 13^th least expensive price per gallon last week to the 20^th spot nationwide with an increase from last week’s $3.31 to $3.45. Last month, gas was $3.47 per gallon and last year at $4.88 statewide.  

AAA reports drivers are still seeing lower prices than last year when the cost per gallon nationwide averaged around $5. The current low demand coupled with low oil costs is keeping gas prices somewhat stable. 

“We may be in a bit of a demand lull heading into the July Fourth holiday,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “Drivers are benefitting financially, with 20 gallons of gas costing nearly $30 less than last year. And with the cost for oil low, drivers will find pump prices that are flat or drifting slightly lower for now.”

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand decreased from 9.22 to 9.19 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks went up by 2.1 barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 220.9 million bbl. The lower gas demand and the increased supply helped limit price increases.

Thursday’s national average of $3.58 is up two cents from last week’s $3.56 and five cents from last month’s $3.53. Last year, the national average per gallon was $5.01.

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

• $3.15 at CITGO, 18501 NW CR-236, High Springs
• $3.24 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.26 at Circle K, 5200 NE Waldo Rd., Gainesville
• $3.26 at Circle K, 7404 NE Waldo Rd., Gainesville
• $3.32 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.34 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $3.34 at Shell, 905 S. Main St., High Springs
• $3.35 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Oregon (+16 cents), Florida (+14 cents), Arizona (−14 cents), Illinois (+12 cents), Washington (+11 cents), Colorado (+8 cents), Kentucky (+7 cents), Alaska (+7 cents), Wisconsin (+6 cents) and Alabama (+5 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($4.88), Washington ($4.85), Hawaii ($4.73), Oregon ($4.49), Nevada ($4.27), Arizona ($4.21), Utah ($4.09), Illinois ($4.04), Alaska ($4.04) and Idaho ($3.97).