One week after Florida tied for the largest price decrease in the nation, the pendulum swung the other direction as the state had the biggest one-week price increase.

According to Thursday’s AAA report, Florida’s average price per gallon rose 16 cents to lead the nation. This came one week after the Sunshine State tied with Michigan for the largest decrease at 17 cents. The cost per gallon went from $2.90 last week to $3.06.

In the Gainesville area, prices went from $2.99 to $3.08. Nationally, the average price increased two cents from $3.10 to $3.12.

“Yukon Cornelius knows that Bumbles bounce, and evidently, so do gas prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “Daily gas prices will likely move back and forth for the next month or so.  Looking back at pre-pandemic 2019, the national average did not make a firm turn to moving higher daily until Valentine’s Day, February 14.”  

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed the gas demand dipped slightly from 8.86 to 8.75 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks rose slightly by 2.7 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 226.7 million bbl. With nearly 104 million drivers heading to their holiday destinations, the AAA reports pump prices may fluctuate during the heavy travel season. 

Thursday’s national average of $3.10 is 27 cents less than last month’s $3.29. Last year, the price was at $3.10.

Florida has the 22^nd most expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.04 per gallon and last year it was $3 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.06 per gallon and last year it was $3.15.

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

• $2.79 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $2.85 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs
• $2.85 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $2.88 at Texaco, 6850 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $2.88 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $2.89 at Gate, 506 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $2.89 at Gate, 3001 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $2.89 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $2.89 at Shell, 3831 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $2.89 at Shell, 7015 US 301, Hawthorne

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Florida (+16 cents), Texas (+11 cents), Idaho (−10 cents), Delaware (+9 cents), South Carolina (+9 cents), Illinois (−9 cents), Nevada (−8 cents), California (−8 cents), Colorado (+7 cents) and West Virginia (−7 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: Hawaii ($4.68), California ($4.57), Washington ($4.17), Nevada ($3.89), Oregon ($3.82), Alaska ($3.72), Pennsylvania ($3.43), New York ($3.39), Vermont ($3.33) and Idaho ($3.28).