Gas prices jump 15 cents over last week

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Gainesville gas prices increased 15 cents per gallon and the national average shot up nine cents as the cost per barrel of oil rose.

According to Thursday’s AAA press release, the national average per gallon of regular gas rose nine cents in the last week to $3.64.

In Gainesville, the average price per gallon went from $3.45 last week to $3.60.  Last month, the price was $3.34 and last year the average cost per gallon was $4.09.

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The high cost of oil is the main culprit as it is now hovering in the low $80s per barrel. The increase comes as no surprise after OPEC announced on April 1 that it will cut production by over a million barrels per day beginning in May through the end of the year.

“When the cost of crude oil crosses the $80 a barrel mark, that puts a lot of upward pressure on what we pay at the pump,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “And as long as oil costs remain at the current level, drivers will likely see incremental price increases for now.”

Recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand decreased from 9.3 to 8.94 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks dropped by 400,000 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 222.2 million bbl.

According to the AAA release, “Lower demand would typically push pump prices down; instead, elevated oil prices have pushed them higher. If oil prices continue to rise, pump prices will follow suit.”

Thursday’s national average of $3.64 is up 17 cents from last month, but 44 cents less than last year’s $4.08 per gallon.

Florida has the 18th most expensive average in the U.S. at $3.57 per gallon. A month ago, the average cost was $3.31 and last year it was $4.03.   

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

  • $3.44 at BP, 15295 NE US Hwy 301, Waldo
  • $3.44 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
  • $3.44 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
  • $3.44 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30th Pl, Gainesville
  • $3.44 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
  • $3.45 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1st Ave., High Springs
  • $3.45 at Shell, 905 S. Main St., High Springs

Quick Stats 

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest increases in their averages: Arizona (+18 cents), North Dakota (+17 cents), South Dakota (+17 cents), Nebraska (+16 cents), Indiana (+16 cents), Kansas (+15 cents), New Mexico (+15 cents), Iowa (+14 cents), Illinois (+14 cents) and Oklahoma (+14 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($4.89), Hawaii ($4.78), Arizona ($4.52), Washington ($4.43), Nevada ($4.25), Illinois ($4.06), Oregon ($4.01), Alaska ($3.86), Pennsylvania ($3.74) and Indiana ($3.72).

Courtesy of AAA National retail prices as of 4-13-23

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