Gas prices drop slightly with increase projected by Valentine’s Day

Gas prices dropped in the Gainesville area by four cents per gallon and statewide by 10 cents per gallon since last week.

According to the AAA’s weekly gas report sent Thursday, the average price per gallon of gas in the Gainesville area dipped from $3.28 last week to $3.24, while the average cost throughout Florida dropped from $3.26 to $3.16. The national average remained unchanged at $3.15.

“It feels like being in a car with a cold battery, cranking away yet slow to turn over,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “But gas prices will likely start increasing around Valentine’s Day.”

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand increased from 8.14 to 8.81 million barrels per day (b/d) last week and total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.1 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 251 million bbl.

According to the release, “Higher gas demand and tighter supply have contributed to elevated pump prices. If demand continues to increase, drivers could see pump prices rise steadily.”

Thursday’s national average of $3.15 is eight cents more than last month’s $3.07. Last year, the price was at $3.44.

Florida has the 15th most expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.15 per gallon and last year it was $3.45 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.19 per gallon and last year it was $3.49.

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

• $2.98 at BP, 15295 NE US 301, Waldo
• $2.98 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $2.99 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.04 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.06 at Murphy’s Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.09 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.09 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $3.09 at Circle K, 3838 N. Main St., Gainesville
• $3.09 at Circle K, 4565 NW 13^th St., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Missouri (+22 cents), Wisconsin (+16 cents), Kentucky (+15 cents), Utah (+13 cents), Illinois (+10 cents), Florida (−10 cents), New Mexico (−7 cents), Ohio (+6 cents), Michigan (+5 cents) and Arizona (+5 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Oklahoma ($2.67), Wyoming ($2.69), Colorado ($2.72), Kansas ($2.74), Mississippi ($2.75), Arkansas ($2.75), Missouri ($2.79), South Dakota ($2.81), Texas ($2.82) and North Dakota ($2.82).