C.J. Gish
Gas prices in the Gainesville area and around the state have remained steady since last week after recent hikes boosted the cost by over 20 cents per gallon in the past month.
According to Thursday’s AAA weekly gas report, the cost at the pump decreased one cent in the Gainesville area from a 2024 high $3.40 per gallon to $3.39 since last week. The average price per gallon throughout Florida remained at $3.36, while nationwide the cost increased from $3.27 to $3.31.
The AAA attributes the upward price trend to travelers heading out for Spring Break.
“We’re entering Spring Break season, and historically, March and April bring higher gas prices as demand rises,” said Aixa Diaz, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “With milder temperatures come more road trips, and this time of year tends to be a precursor to the summer driving season.”
New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand increased from 8.2 to 8.47 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Total domestic gasoline stocks declined by 2.8 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 244.2 million bbl.
Thursday’s national average of $3.31 is 21 cents more than last month’s $3.10. Last year, the price was at $3.35.
Florida has the 11th most expensive price per gallon nationally at $3.36. Last month, gas was $3.14 per gallon and last year it was $3.27 statewide.
In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.17 per gallon, and last year it was $3.32.
According to gasbuddy.com, here are the lowest prices to fill up in Alachua County:
- $3.18 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30th Pl, Gainesville
- $3.19 at Sunoco, 4207 NW 13th St., Gainesville
- $3.19 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13th St., Gainesville
- $3.19 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville
- $3.24 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
- $3.24 at Sunoco, 11921 Martin Luther King Blvd., Gainesville
- $3.25 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1st Ave., High Springs
- $3.27 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
- $3.28 at Texaco, 6850 SE US 301, Hawthorne
- $3.29 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
Quick Stats
Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Oregon (+22 cents), Wisconsin (+17 cents), Washington (+16 cents), Michigan (+14 cents), Illinois (+13 cents), Indiana (+13 cents), Minnesota (+11 cents), California (+11 cents), Ohio (−11 cents) and Idaho (+10 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($4.74), Hawaii ($4.70), Washington ($4.08), Nevada ($3.98), Oregon ($3.82), Illinois ($3.64), Alaska ($3.55), Pennsylvania ($3.49), Washington, DC ($3.42) and Arizona ($3.41).