Gainesville gas prices rise slightly to $3.98 as national averages hold steady

The cost per gallon of gas in the Gainesville area increased this past week slightly to $3.98 after prices jumped 15 cents nationally the week before.

According to AAA’s weekly report released on Thursday, the Gainesville area saw the price per gallon edge up from $3.94 to $3.98. In Florida, the statewide average decreased from $3.93 to $3.90, while nationally the cost remained the same at $4.09.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is the same as it was last week: $4.09. Crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range as instability lingers along the Strait of Hormuz,” the AAA release stated. “Gas prices are nearly a dollar higher than they were this time last year. Typically, August brings some relief at the pump as road trips wind down and fall routines get underway for many families. But elevated crude oil prices could prevent that seasonal shift from starting just yet.  “

In May, the price shot up to $4.56 per gallon in the Gainesville area, with the average Florida price at $4.51 and $4.56 nationwide.

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that gasoline demand has increased since July 23 from 8.94 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9.04 million. The total domestic gasoline supply remained flat at 211.3 million barrels of crude oil (bbl). Gasoline production increased, averaging 9.9million barrels per day.

Thursday’s national average for a gallon of gas is $4.09, which is up 25 cents since last month’s $3.84. Last year, the price was $3.14.

Florida has the 18th-lowest price per gallon in the nation at $3.90. Last month, gas was at $3.77 per gallon, and last year it was $3.02 statewide.    

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.79 per gallon, and last year it was $3.12.

According to GasBuddy.com, here are the cheapest stations to fill up at in Alachua County: 

• $3.79 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.79 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.81 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th PL, Gainesville
• $3.82 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.83 at Chevron & Circle K, 5708 NW 34^th St., Gainesville
• $3.83 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.84 at Wawa, 2305 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.84 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua

State Stats 

Gas 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($5.64), Hawaii ($5.46), Washington ($5.11), Nevada ($4.81), Alaska ($4.73), Oregon ($4.64), Arizona ($4.42), Illinois ($4.34), Idaho ($4.30), and Montana ($4.28). 

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Indiana ($3.56), Texas ($3.64), Mississippi ($3.66), Louisiana ($3.68), Tennessee ($3.70), South Carolina ($3.71), Kentucky ($3.72), Oklahoma ($3.75), Alabama ($3.76), and North Carolina ($3.76). 

Electric 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), California (47 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), Louisiana (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Illinois (45 cents), Arkansas (45 cents), and North Dakota (44 cents). 

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (30 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Utah (34 cents), Maryland (34 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Nebraska (35 cents), Vermont (36 cents), New Mexico (37 cents), and Minnesota (38 cents).