While nationwide gas prices surged nearly a dime over the past week, the slight spike may not last long.
The national average for a gallon of regular gas increased from $3.37 last week to $3.46. The slight price pop could be short-lived, according to AAA’s Thursday press release, as demand and the global cost of oil have recently fallen.
In Gainesville, the average price per gallon went up from $3.30 last week to $3.37.
“Less expensive oil and fewer people fueling usually combine to lower pump prices,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said in a statement. “However, there is some upward pricing pressure at the moment due to the switch to summer blend gasoline, which may add about five to ten cents per gallon. But if demand and oil costs remain low, this recent price bounce may fade.”
New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand declined from 9.11 million to 8.56 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.1 million bbl to 238.1 million bbl last week. Although gas demand has declined, fluctuating oil prices have increased pump prices amid tighter supply.
Today’s national average of $3.46 is up three cents from $3.43 a month ago. Last year, the average was $4.25 per gallon.
Florida has the 24th most expensive average in the U.S. at $3.32 per gallon. A month ago, the average cost was $3.43 and last year it was $4.21.
According to gasbuddy.com, here are the lowest prices to fill up in Alachua County:
- $3.08 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua.
- $3.09 at Circle K, 15089 NW 441, Alachua
- $3.17 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
- $3.19 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
- $3.19 at Marathon, 24252 W. Newberry Rd., Newberry
- $3.20 at Sunoco, 528 NW 8th Ave., Gainesville
- $3.23 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30th Pl., Gainesville
Quick Stats
Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Michigan (+25 cents), Arizona (+22 cents), Kentucky (+17 cents), New Mexico (+17 cents), Ohio (+15 cents), South Carolina (+15 cents), Wisconsin (+14 cents), Delaware (+13 cents), Texas (+13 cents) and Indiana (+13 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($3.00), Missouri ($3.05), Texas ($3.06), Oklahoma ($3.08), Arkansas ($3.08), Kansas ($3.09), Louisiana ($3.10), Alabama ($3.10), Tennessee ($3.14) and Kentucky ($3.14).