Gainesville area gas prices down two cents per gallon

Gas prices continue to stabilize locally and nationally with the price per gallon decreasing by two cents in the Gainesville area and four cents nationwide.

On Thursday, the average price per gallon went from last week’s $3.28 to $3.26. In Florida, the average cost increased from $3.22 to $3.24, while the price dropped from $3.44 to $3.40 nationally.

According to the weekly AAA release, the mid-$80s per barrel prices from a week ago is now hovering around the mid-$70s, which is leading to the gas prices decreasing in recent weeks.   

“We still need to cast a wary eye on global events, which may roil the oil market and spike prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “But domestic gas prices are amid their usual seasonal swoon.  Pump prices have fallen or remained flat every day since September 19.”

On Thursday, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) delayed its usual data releases, including weekly estimates of gasoline supply and demand, to complete a planned systems upgrade. The EIA weekly report will resume next week.

Today’s national average of $3.40 is 30 cents less than last month’s $3.70 and 50 cents less than last year’s $3.80 per gallon.

Florida has the 19^th least expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.46 per gallon and last year it was $3.56 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.50 per gallon and last year it was $3.62.

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

• $3.09 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.09 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39^th Ave, Gainesville
• $3.09 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.14 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.14 at Circle K, 16070 Marin Luther King Blvd., Alachua

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Montana (−17 cents), North Dakota (−15 cents), Colorado (−14 cents), South Dakota (−12 cents), Wyoming (−11 cents), Oklahoma (−11 cents), Arizona (−11 cents), Utah (−11 cents), New Mexico (−11 cents) and Kansas (−11 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($2.86), Georgia ($2.88), Mississippi ($2.88), South Carolina ($2.95), Louisiana ($2.96), Alabama ($2.98), Arkansas ($2.98), Oklahoma ($2.98), Tennessee ($2.99) and Delaware ($3.02).