Gas prices continued to climb in the Gainesville area and around the country following the July 4^th holiday weekend.

According to Thursday’s weekly AAA report, the average price of gas bumped up from $3.57 to $3.58 in the Gainesville area since last week. April marked the highest cost at the pump in 2024 when gas prices hit $3.67 per gallon.

The average price in Florida also went up one cent from $3.53 to $3.54, while the national average increased three cents from $3.51 to $3.54.

The upward trend over recent weeks came as a record number of drivers were on the road for the July 4^th holiday, Hurricane Beryl hit the coast of Texas and the average price of oil hovered around $80 per barrel.

“The damage from Beryl caused limited damage to Gulf Coast energy facilities,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “And while a record 60 million travelers were forecast to hit the highways for the July 4^th holiday, the overall demand number for gasoline dropped. That is a rare feat for a holiday week and may point to a change in demand trends.”

The latest news from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed gas demand dipped from 9.42 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9.39 last week. Nationally, gasoline stocks fell from 231.7 to 229.7 million barrels of crude oil (bbl), and gasoline production increased over the past week averaging 10.3 million barrels daily.

Thursday’s national average of $3.54 is 10 cents more than last month’s $3.44. Last year, the price was at $3.54.

Florida is the 17^th most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.54. Last month, gas was $3.28 per gallon and last year it was $3.45 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.35 per gallon, and last year it was $3.46.

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

• $3.29 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.37 at Marathon, 9600 Martin Luther Hwy, Gainesville
• $3.39 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US-301, Hawthorne
• $3.39 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $3.39 at Chevron, 15000 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $3.44 at Marathon, 3423 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville
• $3.45 at Sam’s Club, 4001 SW 30^th Pl, Gainesville
• $3.45 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $3.45 at Pure, 405 NE 1^st, High Springs
• $3.47 at Circle K, 5708 NW 34^th St., Gainesville

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets are California ($4.78), Hawaii ($4.69), Washington ($4.28), Nevada ($4.04), Oregon ($4.02), Illinois ($3.89), Alaska ($3.87), Washington DC ($3.71), Pennsylvania ($3.69), and New York ($3.63).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($3.09), Arkansas ($3.07), Louisiana ($3.11), Tennessee ($3.13), Oklahoma ($3.15), Kansas ($3.16), Texas ($3.17), Missouri ($3.17), Alabama ($3.20), and Nebraska ($3.26).