Gas prices projected to increase in coming weeks

Local and national gas prices leveled off in recent weeks, but an increase in oil prices coupled with a projected higher demand indicates higher costs at the pump in the coming weeks.

According to the weekly AAA report released on Thursday, the cost of oil recently exceeded $80 per barrel. And with warmer temperatures and the switch to the more expensive summer blend, prices are expected to jump.

“This is the time of year we normally see pump prices start to rise,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “And while prices have been rather pokey so far, they should begin to accelerate and move higher very soon.”   

In the Gainesville area, the cost per gallon of gas decreased two cents from $3.47 last week to $3.45. In Florida, prices dropped from $3.46 to $3.42 and nationally, the average price per gallon went from $3.39 to $3.41.

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly from 9.01 to 9.04 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestic gasoline stocks dropped by 5.6 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 234.1 million bbl. The higher gas demand and the tightening supply pushed pump prices higher, according to the AAA. 

Thursday’s national average of $3.41 is 16 cents more than last month’s $3.25. Last year, the price was at $3.46.

Florida is the 12th most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.42. Last month, gas was $3.32 per gallon and last year it was $3.30 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.35 per gallon, and last year it was $3.33.

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

• $3.27 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.28 at Texaco, 6850 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.29 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.29 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.29 at Circle K, 3838 N. main St., Gainesville
• $3.29 at Shell, 7015 US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.31 at Wawa, 2305 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Circle K, 3525 SW 34^th St., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Sunoco, 528 NW 8^th Ave., Gainesville
• $3.34 at Circle K, 2320 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest increases in their averages: Texas (+10 cents), Alaska (+10 cents), Oregon (+9 cents), Washington, D.C. (+9 cents), Utah (+8 cents), New Mexico (+8 cents), Washington (+8 cents), Montana (+7 cents), Arizona (+6 cents) and Idaho (+5 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($4.87), Hawaii ($4.71), Washington ($4.24), Nevada ($4.14), Oregon ($3.98), Alaska ($3.76), Illinois ($3.70), Arizona ($3.64), Washington, D.C. ($3.57) and Pennsylvania ($3.50).