Gas prices dip again

For the third straight week, gas prices nationwide dropped.

According to the Thursday AAA report, the national price per gallon decreased four cents since last week. In Florida, the price dipped by nine cents and in the Gainesville area, it went down 11 cents from $3.65 last week to $3.54.

“Increasing demand for gasoline would usually drive pump prices higher,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, “but the cost for oil has remained low lately, so drivers should benefit from stable pump prices as Memorial Day drawers near.”

New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed demand increasing substantially from 8.62 to 9.30 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks decreased by 3.2 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 219.7 million bbl. The high demand and reduction in stocks slowed the pump price decreases.

Florida has the 16th most expensive average in the U.S. at $3.51 per gallon, down from last week’s $3.60. A month ago, the average cost was $3.57; last year it was $4.32.   

Thursday’s national average of $3.53 decreased from $3.57 last week. Last month’s average price was $3.60 and last year’s was $4.40 per gallon.

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

• $3.29 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.29 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.31 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Sunoco, 4207 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.37 at Wawa, 1007 E. University Ave., Gainesville
• $3.3 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39^th Ave., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Ohio (+13 cents), Indiana (+11 cents), Oklahoma (−10 cents), Florida (−9 cents), Nebraska (−8 cents), Michigan (−8 cents), Colorado (−8 cents), Missouri (−8 cents), North Dakota (−8 cents) and North Carolina (−7 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($2.99), Louisiana ($3.08), Texas ($3.09), Alabama ($3.09), Arkansas ($3.11), South Carolina ($3.15), Oklahoma ($3.16), Tennessee ($3.16), Missouri ($3.21) and Georgia ($3.24).