Nationwide gas prices continued to drop prior to a Thanksgiving holiday that will see more than 49.1 million people driving more than 50 miles or more.

According to Thursday’s AAA press release, the average price per gallon fell 14 cents in Florida from $3.24 last week to $3.10 on Thursday. In the Gainesville area, prices dropped from $3.26 to $3.13 and nationally, the cost at the pump went from $3.40 to $3.34.

“Drivers this Thanksgiving can expect cheaper gas prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “Ten states now have sub $3 a gallon averages, and more will join soon.  And there are thousands of individual stations below $2 per gallon. So savvy drivers will find savings on their way to a turkey dinner this year.”  

New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand decreased from 9.49 to 8.95 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.5 barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 215.7 million bbl.

Thursday’s national average of $3.34 is 26 cents less than last month’s $3.60 and 40 cents less than last year’s $3.74.

Florida has the 17^th least expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.32 per gallon and last year it was $3.52 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.50 per gallon and last year it was $3.62.

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

• $2.91 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39^th Ave., Gainesville
• $2.92 at Murphy’s Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $2.94 at Gate, 3001 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $2.94 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl., Gainesville
• $2.94 at Circle K, 4565 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $2.94 at Circle K, 1515 N. Main St., Gainesville
• $2.95 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $2.96 at Sunoco, 4207 NW 13^th St., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Montana (−14 cents), Florida (−14 cents), Colorado (−13 cents), Utah (−12 cents), North Dakota (−11 cents), Arizona (−10 cents), Iowa (−10 cents), Kansas (−9 cents), Nebraska (−9 cents) and Nevada (−9 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($2.81), Mississippi ($2.82), Georgia ($2.84), Louisiana ($2.89), Oklahoma ($2.91), Alabama ($2.92), Arkansas ($2.93), Missouri ($2.96), South Carolina ($2.96) and Tennessee ($2.97).