Gas prices steadily decline in the Gainesville market and now average $3.21 per gallon.

According to the weekly AAA gas report released Thursday, the Gainesville market dipped four cents per gallon from $3.25 last week to $3.21. The price has seen a steady decrease from $3.58 in early July.

In Florida, the average price dropped from $3.17 to $3.15, and nationwide the price fell two cents from $3.24 last week to $3.22.

“Gasoline prices have been plunging lately, and it is not uncommon to see them take a bit of a breather during hurricane season,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “Gasoline demand and oil costs are low, so pump prices may soon resume a slow descent. There are 14 states with averages below $3 a gallon, and several more may soon follow.”

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed gas demand increased slightly last week from 8.47 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.77. National gasoline stocks remained flat at 221.6 million barrels, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels of crude oil (bbl).

Thursday’s national average of $3.22 is 19 cents less than last month’s $3.41. Last year, the price was at $3.88.

Florida is the 22^nd most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.15. Last month, gas was $3.29 per gallon and last year it was $3.68 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.39 per gallon, and last year it was $3.71.

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

• $2.89 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $2.96 at BP, 15295 NE US 301, Waldo
• $2.96 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $2.96 at Pure, 405 NE 1st, High Springs
• $2.97 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $2.98 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs
• $2.99 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.05 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne

Quick Gas and Electricity Stats

Gas

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Ohio (+10 cents), Washington, D.C. (-9 cents), Maine (-8 cents), New Hampshire (-8 cents), Virginia (-7 cents), New Mexico (-7 cents), Connecticut (-7 cents), Michigan +6 cents), Utah (-6 cents), and Rhode Island (-6 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.72), Oklahoma ($2.77), Texas ($2.78), Alabama ($2.78), Tennessee ($2.79), South Carolina ($2.79), Louisiana ($2.81), Arkansas ($2.82), Missouri ($2.88) and Kentucky ($2.88).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Delaware (26 cents), Wisconsin (28 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Texas (29 cents), Michigan (30 cents,) North Dakota (30 cents), Utah (31 cents) and Vermont (31 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (57 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), Idaho (43 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Montana (42 cents), New Hampshire (41 cents), South Dakota (41 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Tennessee (41 cents) and Alaska (41 cents).