Hurricane Helene’s devastation coupled with threats of war didn’t affect the price of gas from falling over the past week in the Gainesville area or nationwide.  

According to Thursday’s weekly AAA report, the average price per gallon in the Gainesville market dropped slightly from $3.20 last week to $3.18 and went down from $3.17 to $3.13 in Florida. Nationally, the price went down three cents from $3.22 to $3.19.

“Despite the threat of war and a hurricane season that is still percolating, domestic gasoline prices are edging lower,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “There are now 18 states east of the Rockies with averages below $3 a gallon. And OPEC+ is saying, at least for now, they will increase production starting December 1^st, putting even more downward pressure on pump prices.”  

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand plummeted from 9.20 million barrels per day (b/d) last week to 8.52 and the total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 220.1 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 221.2. Low oil costs and slow gasoline demand projects to keep pump prices sliding.   

Thursday’s national average of $3.19 is 13 cents less than last month’s $3.32. Last year, the price was at $3.79.

Florida is the 21^st most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.13. Last month, gas was $3.28 per gallon and last year it was $3.50 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.35 per gallon, and last year it was $3.53.

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

• $2.89 at BP, 15295 NE US Hwy 301, Waldo
• $2.89 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $2.89 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $2.96 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $2.97 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $2.98 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs
• $2.99 at Murphy’s Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $2.99 at Shell, 905 S. Main St., Gainesville
• $2.99 at Pure, 405 NE 1st, High Springs

Quick Gas and Electricity Stats

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.66), Hawaii ($4.60), Washington ($4.02), Nevada ($3.90), Alaska ($3.65), Oregon ($3.64), Utah ($3.51), Idaho ($3.47), Illinois ($3.47) and Michigan ($3.39).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.67), Tennessee ($2.72), Louisiana ($2.74), Alabama ($2.76), Oklahoma ($2.78), Texas ($2.78), Arkansas ($2.80), Missouri ($2.82), Kentucky ($2.85) and Kansas ($2.86).

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), Nebraska (28 cents), Texas (29 cents), Vermont (29 cents), Wisconsin (30 cents), Michigan (30 cents,) Utah (30 cents) and North Dakota (30 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (55 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), Montana (43 cents), Idaho (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), New Hampshire (41 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), South Dakota (41 cents) and Alaska (41 cents).