Gas prices dropped for the first time in nearly a month in the Gainesville area and nationally.
According to Thursday’s AAA report, Gainesville saw a two-cent drop from $3.73 to $3.71 since last week.
A lower price for oil is leading to a price reversal, the AAA report stated.
“The national average reached $3.68 last week, and that might be the peak price for now,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “As long as the oil cost keeps wobbling around the low to mid $70s per barrel, drivers will benefit when they fuel up.”
New Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed gas demand increased significantly from 8.52 to 9.51 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks decreased by 2.4 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 221.1 million bbl. Even with the higher demand at the pump and the decline in stocks, the fluctuating oil prices have pushed them lower, according to the AAA.
Florida has the 13th most expensive average in the U.S. at $3.68 per gallon, down three cents from last week’s $3.71. A month ago, the average cost was $3.36; last year it was $4.16.
Thursday’s national average of $3.63 decreased from $3.68 last week. Last month’s average price was $3.43 and last year’s was $4.13 per gallon.
According to gasbuddy.com, here are the lowest prices to fill up in Alachua County:
- $3.42 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
- $3.44 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
- $3.49 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
- $3.49 at Chevron, 830 NW 1st St., High Springs
- $3.49 at Shell, 6807 NE US 301, Hawthorne
- $3.49 at Marathon, 3970 NE County Road 340, High Springs
Quick Stats
Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Michigan (−12 cents), Ohio (−11 cents), Texas (−11 cents), Indiana (−10 cents), Iowa (−10 cents), North Carolina (−9 cents), Tennessee (−9 cents), South Carolina (−8 cents), Wisconsin (−8 cents) and Nebraska (−8 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($3.11), Arkansas ($3.22), Louisiana ($3.22), Texas ($3.23), Alabama ($3.23), Tennessee ($3.27), South Carolina ($3.29), Oklahoma ($3.32), Georgia ($3.34) and Missouri ($3.35).