Gainesville gas prices climb 3 cents per gallon

Gas Pumps
Gas Pumps

Gas prices in the Gainesville area and across the state increased over last week heading into the Memorial Day holiday where a record 38.4 million drivers are expected to hit the road.

In Thursday’s AAA weekly gas report, the average price per gallon rose three cents in the Gainesville area from $3.54 last week to $3.57. The average price in Florida increased from $3.49 to $3.55, while nationwide the price trickled up one cent from $3.60 to $3.61.

“Since the pandemic, the summer driving season has not seen a surge in demand, which can push pump prices higher,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “So it will be interesting to see if this year bucks that trend. This week’s move by the Biden Administration to sell off the million barrel Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve might help stave off any regional pump price surges, but likely won’t move the national average that much.”    

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The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand rose unexpectedly from 8.87 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9.31 last week. The total domestic gasoline stocks decreased since last week from 227.8 to 226.8 million barrels of crude oil (bbl), while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10.0 million daily barrels.

According to Thursday’s weekly AAA gas report, the cost at the pump went from $3.61 per gallon last week to $3.54 in the Gainesville area. In Florida, the statewide average dropped two cents from $3.51 to 3.49, while the national average rose from $3.60 to $3.61.

Thursday’s national average of $3.61 is five cents less than last month’s $3.66. Last year, the price was at $3.54.

Florida is the 19th most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.55. Last month, gas was $3.53 per gallon and last year it was $3.39 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.62 per gallon, and last year it was $3.48.

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

  • $3.29 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
  • $3.29 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
  • $3.37 at Pure, 405 NE 1st, High Springs
  • $3.39 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
  • $3.39 at Shell, 905 S. Main St., High Springs
  • $3.39 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1st Ave., High Springs
  • $3.39 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13th St., Gainesville
  • $3.39 at Texaco, 6850 SE US 301, Hawthorne
  • $3.42 at Shell, 13820 NW 140th St., Alachua

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($3.06), Arkansas ($3.10), Oklahoma ($3.12), Kansas ($3.13), Louisiana ($3.16), Texas ($3.17), Missouri ($3.20), Tennessee ($3.21), South Carolina ($3.21), and Alabama ($3.24). 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets are California ($5.15), Hawaii ($4.78), Washington ($4.58), Oregon ($4.34), Nevada ($4.33), Alaska ($4.32), Illinois ($4.01), Arizona ($3.87), Idaho ($3.78), and Pennsylvania ($3.77). 

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