Quiet hurricane season pushes gas prices lower

Gas pump
David Tran Photo/Shutterstock

Gas prices dipped after a slight increase last week in both Florida and nationally.

According to Monday’s AAA weekly report, Florida’s average price per gallon dropped to $3.51, down from $3.60 last week. The Sunshine State has the 15th least expensive average price in the nation. Two weeks ago, Florida led the nation with a 12-cent drop to $3.52 per gallon.

AAA attributes the decrease to lower oil prices, modest gasoline demand in the U.S., and a quiet hurricane season to date. The national average fell seven cents in the past week to $3.77.

“According to weather analysts, it’s the first time in 25 years that a named Atlantic storm did not develop in August. That’s the good news,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a statement. “But we still have another month of peak hurricane season, and these storms can affect gas prices by disrupting oil production and refining.”

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Another reason for cheaper oil prices comes from recent lackluster Chinese manufacturing output due to lower demand for goods, along with new COVID-19 outbreaks in Chinese industrial cities, according to the release. China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil.

Monday’s national average of $3.77 is 31 cents less than a month ago but 59 cents more than a year ago. In Florida, prices averaged $3.80 last month and were at $3.01 last year.

In the Gainesville area, prices decreased from $3.63 to $3.56.

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

  • $3.34 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
  • $3.35 at Circle K, 16130 NW US Hwy 441, Gainesville
  • $3.36 at Sam’s Club, 4400 SW 33rd Pl, Gainesville
  • $3.39 at Circle K, 19531 NW US Hwy 441, High Springs
  • $3.43 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville
  • $3.43 at Raceway, 16171 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua
  • $3.43 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 13th St., Gainesville
  • $3.45 at Amoco, 1720 S. Main St., Gainesville
  • $3.45 at Shell, 13820 NW 140th St., Alachua

Quick Stats 

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: Vermont (−15 cents), Connecticut (−14 cents), Rhode Island (−14 cents), Pennsylvania (−14 cents), Massachusetts (−13 cents), Maine (−13 cents), New York (−12 cents), Delaware (−12 cents), New Jersey (−12 cents) and Maryland (−12 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($3.25), Arkansas ($3.25), Mississippi ($3.26), Louisiana ($3.30), Georgia ($3.31), Oklahoma ($3.34), Tennessee ($3.36), Missouri ($3.36), Alabama ($3.37) and South Carolina ($3.39).

Gas prices in Florida 9-6-22
Courtesy of AAA

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