Gainesville gas prices jump 18 cents

Since last week, the Gainesville area witnessed an 18-cent increase at the gas pumps.

According to Thursday’s AAA release, Florida’s 20-cent hike in price per gallon to $3.65 ranked third nationally. Nationally, the average price rose 13 cents to $3.71 per gallon. In Gainesville, the cost is $3.66, up from last week’s $3.48.

“Gas demand, meaning people fueling up, remains tepid. It’s lower now than at this time last year and in 2021,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “But while the heat may be keeping some folks home, it also suppresses refinery production, according to experts.  Constrained supplies and a higher cost of oil are tipping the balance toward rising pump prices for now.”

New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed the demand rose slightly from 8.86 to 8.94 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Nationally, gasoline stocks dipped from 218.4 to 217.6 million barrels of crude oil (bbl). Demand should continue to spike as supplies remain tight.

Thursday’s national average of $3.71 is three cents higher than last week’s $3.68 and up 15 cents from last month’s $3.56. A year ago, the national average was at $4.30.

Florida has the 22^nd most expensive price per gallon nationally after the increase from last week to $3.65. Last month, gas was $3.33 per gallon and last year at $4.03 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month prices were at $3.35 per gallon and last year they were at $4.11.

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

• $3.29 at BP, 15295 NE US Hwy 301, Waldo
• $3.39 at Pilot, 17276 US Hwy 301, Waldo
• $3.39 at Texaco, 1602 NE Waldo Rd., Gainesville
• $3.45 at Shell, 7015 US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.45 at Texaco, 6850 SE US 301, Hawthorne

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest increases in their averages: Indiana (+23 cents), Iowa (+20 cents), Florida (+20 cents), Ohio (+19 cents), Georgia (+19 cents), Kansas (+18 cents), Tennessee (+18 cents), Texas (+18 cents), North Carolina (+18 cents), and South Carolina (+18 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($4.93), Washington ($4.93), Hawaii ($4.69), Oregon ($4.59), Alaska ($4.31), Nevada ($4.24), Utah ($3.94), Idaho ($3.89), Illinois ($3.95) and Colorado ($3.92).