Florida gas prices rise 71 cents over last Independence Day weekend

While the average price at the pump has gone down over the past month, Florida drivers are paying 71 cents more per gallon during the 2026 Independence Day weekend compared to 2025.

According to the AAA’s weekly report released on Thursday, the average cost per gallon in the Gainesville area is $3.86 and in Florida it is $3.83, which remains the same as last week. Nationwide, the price is also $3.83. This is 71 cents over last year, when gas averaged $3.12 in Florida and $3.17 throughout the United States.

“As millions of drivers fill up and hit the road for the long Independence Day weekend, they’re getting a break at the pump. The national average is down nearly 50 cents from a month ago at $3.83 for a gallon of regular gasoline,” the AAA release stated. “While that number is higher than last year, it’s a relief from this past spring, when the national average peaked at $4.56 on May 21.

“Crude oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels in months, dropping to the $60 a barrel range. Overall, gas prices remain the highest they’ve been in four years, but the downward trend since late May is welcome news during the busy summer driving season.”

In May, the price shot up to $4.56 per gallon in the Gainesville area, with the average Florida price at $4.51 and nationwide at $4.56.

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that the gasoline demand increased from June 25 from 8.77 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9.13 million. The total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 216.3 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 214 million. Gasoline production increased, averaging 10 million barrels per day.

Thursday’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.83, which is down 46 cents since last month’s $4.29. Last year, the price was $3.17.

Florida has the 22^nd highest price per gallon in the nation at $3.83. Last month, gas was at $3.98 per gallon, and last year it was $3.12 statewide.    

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $4.11 per gallon, and last year it was $3.17.

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

• $3.49 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.49 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.57 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.57 at Pure, 405 NE 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.59 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $3.60 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.60 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.69 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs

State Stats 

Gas 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($5.48), California ($5.40), Washington ($5.09), Alaska ($4.79), Oregon ($4.62), Nevada ($4.61), Washington, DC ($4.08), New York ($4.08), Illinois ($4.08), and Idaho ($4.06).  

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Indiana ($3.12), Texas ($3.34), Oklahoma ($3.37), Tennessee ($3.41), Arkansas ($3.42), Mississippi ($3.44), Louisiana ($3.46), Alabama ($3.46), Kentucky ($3.46), and Missouri ($3.47). 

Electric 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (53 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), California (46 cents), Louisiana (46 cents), Illinois (45 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Arizona (43 cents). 

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (30 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Maryland (33 cents), Utah (33 cents), South Dakota (34 cents), Nebraska (35 cents), Vermont (35 cents), New Mexico (37 cents), and Minnesota (37 cents).