Gas prices decrease before Fourth of July

Heading into the Fourth of July holiday, drivers will see a slight drop in gas prices.

According to Thursday’s AAA report, the national average for a gallon of gas fell four cents over the past week to $3.54. In Florida, prices have fallen five cents to $3.31 and in the Gainesville area to $3.34.

The AAA is projecting more than 50 million people traveling for the Fourth of July holiday, including a record 43.2 million by car.

“Gas prices are $1.30 per gallon less this year than last, but they are still high compared to historical averages,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the release. “The previous record average high price for gas on July Fourth was $4.10 in 2008, while the low was $1.39 in 2001. Yet despite currently elevated prices, drivers are not cutting back on travel this summer.”

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that the gas demand decreased slightly from 9.38 to 9.31 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks increased by 600,000 barrels of crude oil (bbl)  to 220 million bbl. The lower gas demand and increasing oil supply has helped to limit pump price increases.

Thursday’s national average of $3.54 is up down four cents from last week’s $3.58 and five cents from last month’s $3.58. Last year, the national average per gallon was $4.86.

Florida has the 15^th least expensive price per gallon nationally after prices fell five cents from last week to $3.31. Last month, gas was $3.41 per gallon and last year at $4.62 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month prices were at $3.39 per gallon and last year they were at $4.72.

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

• $3.11 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.13 at Circle K, 4565 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.13 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $3.15 at Circle K, 5708 NW 34^th St., Gainesville
• $3.15 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $3.16 at Sunoco, 4207 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.16 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
• $3.17 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.19 at Marathon, 3936 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville
• $3.19 at Circle K, 20 NE Waldo Rd., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: in their averages: Arizona (−16 cents), Ohio (−11 cents), Indiana (−11 cents), Wisconsin (−11 cents), Illinois (−9 cents), Kentucky (−6 cents), Nevada (−6 cents), Georgia (−6 cents), Utah (−6 cents) and Florida (−5 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($2.97), Louisiana ($3.08), Alabama ($3.10), Tennessee ($3.10), Arkansas ($3.11), South Carolina ($3.17), Texas ($3.18), Oklahoma ($3.22), Georgia ($3.23) and North Carolina ($3.25).