Gas prices surge nationwide

Gas prices jumped 12 cents per gallon nationwide since last Thursday and 21 cents in the Gainesville area.

According to the AAA weekly gas report, prices at the pump increased across the country with a significant contributor being the shutdown of the BP-Whiting refinery in Indiana. The refinery has been offline for over two weeks due to a power outage and processes 435,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

The average cost at the pump went from $3.15 last week to $3.27 nationally and Florida, which now ranks as the 10^th-most expensive state in the nation, saw an increase from $3.16 to $3.33. In the Gainesville area, the price went from $3.15 to $3.36.

“Pump prices usually move higher this time of year, but a 12-cent jump in one week is notable,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “However, the refinery shutdown will likely be resolved soon, so further increases at the pump should revert to slower and lower seasonal gains.” 

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased from 8.81 to 8.17 million barrels per day (b/d) last week while the total domestic gasoline stocks declined by 3.7 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 247.3 million bbl. The fluctuating oil prices coupled with tight gas supply has led to the increase in prices.

Thursday’s national average of $3.27 is 21 cents more than last month’s $3.06. Last year, the price was at $3.41.

In Florida, gas prices were at $3.08 per gallon last month. Last year, it was $3.36 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.15 per gallon and last year it was $3.40.

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

• $3.09 at Texaco, 6850 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.15 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.19 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.23 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $3.24 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.25 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.27 at Pure, 405 NE 1^st, High Springs
• $3.28 at Murphy’s Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest increases in their averages: Ohio (+30 cents), New Mexico (+25 cents), West Virginia (+25 cents), Colorado (+20 cents), Maryland (+19 cents), Virginia (+19 cents), Pennsylvania (+19 cents), Illinois (+19 cents), North Carolina (+18 cents) and Montana (+17 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: Hawaii ($4.70), California ($4.64), Nevada ($3.90), Washington ($3.89), Oregon ($3.58), Pennsylvania ($3.55), Illinois ($3.49), Alaska ($3.46), Washington, D.C. ($3.41) and Maryland ($3.36).