Gas prices drop as summer driving season ends

With the summer driving season ending and the cost of oil in decline, gas prices trickled down to their lowest point since March.

AAA’s weekly report on Monday stated the national average price per gallon fell seven cents to $3.71 since last week and is 26 cents less than a month ago but 54 cents more than a year ago

“Less expensive oil usually leads to less expensive gas for drivers,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson in the press release. “This trend has helped pump prices fall steadily for three straight months and, with fall approaching, more markets could soon see prices below $3 per gallon.”

Florida has the 16th least expensive average price in the nation dropping from $3.51 last week to $3.43. A month ago, the average cost was $3.66 and last year it was at $2.99.

In the Gainesville area, prices decreased from $3.56 to $3.50 per gallon since last week.

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

• $3.28 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
• $3.31 at Circle K, 19531 NW US Hwy 441, High Springs
• $3.34 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.34 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.35 at Sam’s Club, 4400 SW 33^rd Pl, Gainesville
• $3.37 at Shell, 13820 NW 140^th St., Alachua
• $3.37 at Raceway, 16171 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua
• $3.39 at Circle K, 16130 NW US Hwy 441, Gainesville

Recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) data indicates that the gas demand increased slightly from 8.59 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.73 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose by 300,000 million barrels of oil (bbl) to 214.8 million bbl, according to the AAA release. Even with gasoline demand increasing slightly, lower oil prices have led to falling pump prices. If gasoline demand begins to subside, as it typically does post-Labor Day with the end of summer driving, pump prices will likely continue to decrease.

Quick Stats 

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: Maryland (−15 cents), Delaware (−14 cents), Connecticut (−14 cents), New York (−13 cents), Mississippi (−13 cents), Texas (−12 cents), Rhode Island (−12 cents), New Jersey (−12 cents), Massachusetts (−12 cents) and New Hampshire (−12 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($3.14), Mississippi ($3.15), Arkansas ($3.16), Louisiana ($3.19), Georgia ($3.24), Tennessee ($3.26), Oklahoma ($3.28), Alabama ($3.29), Missouri ($3.30) and South Carolina ($3.31).