C.J. Gish
One week after nearing $4 per gallon, the gas prices dropped a nickel locally and a dime statewide.
According to Thursday’s AAA report, the Gainesville area’s cost at the pump went from $3.89 last week to $3.85 per gallon. In Florida, the price decreased from $3.85 to $3.75. The national average dropped four cents to $3.83.
With Labor Day approaching, the combination of gas demand, volatile oil prices and an active hurricane season, higher prices are predicted in the upcoming weeks.
“Although the national average did a U-turn this week, the road ahead could lead to higher prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “Ongoing concerns regarding potential storm activity could hinder falling pump prices this fall.”
New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand jumped from 8.85 to 8.91 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Nationally, gasoline stocks increased from 216.2 to 217.6 million barrels of crude oil (bbl). Even with increased demand, growing stock levels helped push prices lower.
Thursday’s national average of $3.83 is 24 cents more than a month ago but five cents less than a year ago.
Florida has the 25th least expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.47 per gallon and last year it was $3.52 statewide.
In the Gainesville area, last month’s prices were at $3.49 per gallon and last year they were at $3.58.
According to gasbuddy.com, here are the lowest prices to fill up in Alachua County:
- $3.59 at Raceway, 15330 NW US Highway 301, Waldo
- $3.59 at Pilot, 17276 US Highway 301, Waldo
- $3.67 at BP, 15295 NE US Highway 301, Waldo
- $3.69 at Murphy’s Express, 6323 NW 23rd St., Gainesville
- $3.69 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
- $3.69 at CITGO, 18501 NW CR 236, High Springs
- $3.69 at Shell, 7015 US 301, Hawthorne
- $3.70 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
- $3.72 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30th Pl., Gainesville
- $3.73 at Marathon, 3936 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville
Quick Stats
Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Indiana (−13 cents), Iowa (−11 cents), Florida (−10 cents), Wisconsin (−10 cents), Michigan (−10 cents), Ohio (−9 cents), Minnesota (−9 cents), Kentucky (−7 cents), Nebraska (−6 cents) and Delaware (−6 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($5.26), Washington ($5.06), Hawaii ($4.78), Oregon ($4.72), Alaska ($4.55), Nevada ($4.47), Utah ($4.22), Arizona ($4.25), Idaho ($4.12) and Illinois ($4.11).