Gas prices surged nationwide heading into the July 4^th holiday.

According to the AAA’s weekly gas report released on Thursday, the average price per gallon of gas increased five cents throughout the United States from $3.45 per gallon to $3.50.

In the Gainesville area, the cost per gallon went from $3.41 last week to $3.47. In Florida, the average price increased from $3.36 to $3.43.

According to the AAA release, the move came because the cost of oil crossed the $80 per barrel mark.

“Summer got off to a slow start last week with low gas demand,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the release. “But with a record 60 million travelers forecast to hit the road for the July 4^th holiday, that number could pop over the next ten days.  But will oil stay above $80 a barrel, or will it sag again? Stay tuned.”

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand fell 9.38 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.96 last week. This demand level is about 240,000 b/d below the same week of last year. Nationally, the total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 231.2 to 233.9 million barrels of crude oil (bbl). The increased supply and lower gas demand reportedly should help counter higher oil costs and will slow the price at the pumps, according to the release.

Thursday’s national average of $3.50 is nine cents less than last month’s $3.59. Last year, the price was at $3.56.

Florida is the 21^st most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.43. Last month, gas was $3.51 per gallon and last year it was $3.33 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.54 per gallon, and last year it was $3.35.

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

• $3.19 at BP, 15295 NE US Hwy 301, Waldo
• $3.19 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $3.21 at Circle K, 19531 NW US Hwy 441, High Springs
• $3.29 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.29 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs
• $3.29 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $3.29 at Pure, 405 NE 1^st, High Springs
• $3.29 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.29 at CITGO, 18501 NW CR-236, High Springs
• $3.36 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13^th St., Gainesville

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets are California ($4.80), Hawaii ($4.71), Washington ($4.21), Oregon ($4.07), Nevada ($4.04), Alaska ($3.90), Illinois ($3.88), Michigan ($3.70), Washington, D.C. ($3.66), and Indiana ($3.65).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($2.91), Louisiana ($3.01), Arkansas ($3.01), Oklahoma ($3.08), Alabama ($3.09), Texas ($3.10), Kansas ($3.10), Tennessee ($3.12), Missouri ($3.12), and South Carolina ($3.21).