The average price per gallon dropped four cents in the Gainesville area, marking the third straight week the cost at the pump dipped.

On Thursday in the AAA’s weekly gas report, regional prices in Gainesville went from $3.49 to $3.45 per gallon. In Florida, prices dropped six cents from $3.45 to $3.39, and nationwide they dipped $3.52 to $3.48.

“The oil market is volatile, and the threat of a hurricane impacting production and refining will certainly grab its attention,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “Add in the rising tensions in the Middle East, and oil prices are poised to push higher.”

The latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows gas demand decreased from 9.45 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9.25 last week. Nationally, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 227.4 to 223.8 million barrels of crude oil (bbl). Gasoline production dipped last week, averaging 10.0 million barrels per day.

In Thursday’s release, the AAA introduced a new feature by adding the kilowatt-per-hour cost for Level 2 (L2) commercial charging per state for electric vehicles. According to the release, the national average for a kilowatt of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station is 34 cents.

Thursday’s national average of $3.48 is one cent more than last month’s $3.49. Last year, the price was at $3.78.

Florida is the 24^th most inexpensive state in price per gallon at $3.39. Last month, gas was $3.36 per gallon and last year it was $3.74 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.45 per gallon, and last year it was $3.78.

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

• $3.19 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.29 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.29 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.29 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $3.29 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
• $3.29 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39^th Ave., Gainesville
• $3.32 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.34 at Circle K, 3838 N. Main St., Gainesville

Quick Gas and Electricity Stats

Gas

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest weekly changes in their gasoline averages: Indiana (-13 cents), Michigan (-11 cents), Ohio (-10 cents), South Carolina (-9 cents), Colorado (+7 cents), Wisconsin (-6 cents), Idaho (+6 cents), Kentucky (-6 cents), South Dakota (+6 cents), and Illinois (-6 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.96), Louisiana ($3.05), Arkansas ($3.08), Texas ($3.09), Alabama ($3.10), Oklahoma ($3.10), Tennessee ($3.11), South Carolina ($3.12), Kansas ($3.18), and Missouri ($3.19).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for L2 commercial charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Delaware (25 cents), Texas (28 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Wisconsin (29 cents,) Vermont (30 cents), Michigan (30 cents) and Washington, DC (30 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for L2 commercial charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), Idaho (42 cents), South Dakota (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (42 cents), Montana (41 cents), Tennessee (42 cents), New Hampshire (41 cents) and Alaska (40 cents).