Pump prices remain steady in wake of Hurricane Idalia

On the heels of Hurricane Idalia hitting Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, the national average price per gallon goes down one cent.

According to the weekly AAA report released on Thursday, gas dropped from $3.83 to $3.82 since last week. In Florida, the average price dropped seven cents to $3.69 and in the Gainesville area it decreased three cents to $3.81.

Damage assessments are still being made following Hurricane Idalia’s destructive path that cut through four states starting Tuesday. Fuel consumption is projected to increase as people prepare to travel during Labor Day Weekend.  

“With visits to the pump rather flat and the price of oil hovering around the $80 per barrel mark, the national average for a gallon of gas will likely stay where it is through this holiday weekend,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “Hurricane Idalia may cause regional price jumps due to station damage, flooded roads, and power outages, but as in past years, these things are usually fixed in a few weeks.”

New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand increased slightly from 8.91 to 9.07 million barrels per day (b/d) last week. Domestically, gasoline stocks went backward from 217.4 million barrels of crude oil (bbl).

Thursday’s national average of $3.82 is seven cents more than last month. Last year, the price was at $3.84.

Florida remains the 25^th least expensive price per gallon nationally. Last month, gas was $3.65 per gallon and last year it was $3.59 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was at $3.69 per gallon and last year it was at $3.62.

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

• $3.59 at BP, 15295 NE US Highway 301, Waldo
• $3.59 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.64 at Murphy’s Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.64 at Circle K, 4565 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.64 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $3.66 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $3.67 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
• $3.67 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39^th Ave., Gainesville
• $3.69 at Marathon, 3936 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Indiana (−11 cents), Ohio (+10 cents), Utah (+10 cents), Maryland (−10 cents), Delaware (−10 cents), South Carolina (+7 cents), Arizona (+7 cents), Michigan (−7 cents), Alaska (+6 cents) and Florida (−6 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($5.29), Washington ($5.10), Hawaii ($4.79), Oregon ($4.76), Alaska ($4.61), Nevada ($4.51), Arizona ($4.32), Utah ($4.32), Idaho ($4.16) and Illinois ($4.06).