With the cost of oil increasing, the average price per gallon of gas jumped 13 cents in the Gainesville area and 14 cents statewide since last week.

According to Thursday’s AAA release, the price for a barrel of oil is nearly $80, which caused gas prices to reverse downward trends over the past two months.

In the Gainesville area, the cost per gallon increased from $3.07 last week to $3.20 and in Florida, the price went from $3.03 to $3.17. The average price decreased two cents nationwide from $3.26 to $3.24.

Before Thanksgiving two weeks ago, Gainesville area gas averaged $3.10 per gallon.

“The current streak of daily pump prices either falling or staying flat started on September 19,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “It appears this run is in jeopardy, and we may see prices edge a bit higher. But if the cost of oil eventually hits reverse and dips again, pump prices will likely follow suit. So stay tuned.”

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed gas demand ​decreased from 8.48 to 8.21 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 1.8 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 218.2 million bbl. Rising oil prices were countered by recent lower gas demand.

Thursday’s national average of $3.24 is 25 cents less than last month’s $3.49. Last year, the price was also as at $3.49.

Florida has the 22^nd most expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.28 per gallon and last year it was $3.34 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.32 per gallon and last year it was $3.48.

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

• $2.98 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs
• $2.99 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $2.99 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $2.99 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $3.03 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl., Gainesville
• $3.04 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Utah (−16 cents), Indiana (−10 cents), Ohio (−9 cents), Arizona (−9 cents), Wyoming (−8 cents), Michigan (−8 cents), Montana (−8 cents), Colorado (−8 cents), North Dakota (−8 cents) and California (−8 cents). 

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($2.74), Mississippi ($2.76), Oklahoma ($2.76), Georgia ($2.79), Louisiana ($2.81), Missouri ($2.81), Arkansas ($2.82), Alabama ($2.88), Kansas ($2.89) and Iowa ($2.91).