Taryn Ashby
Gas prices in the Gainesville area and statewide surged over the last week.
The national average for gas spiked eight cents since last week to $3.50 per gallon. In Florida, gas climbed 15 cents from $3.41 to $3.56 and $3.45 to $3.57 in Gainesville.
“January’s weather was relatively mild in much of the nation, which led to more drivers hitting the road,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement. “However, a return of wintery conditions in February may see a revival of seasonal driving patterns, but with the cost of oil stubbornly hovering around $80 per barrel, drivers probably won’t catch a big break at the pump over the next week or two.”
According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.05 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.14 million b/d last week. Higher pumper prices directly result from increasing gas demand and elevated oil prices.
Florida has the 10th most expensive average at $3.56 per gallon. A month ago, the average cost was $3.13; last year, it was $3.34.
According to gasbuddy.com, here are the lowest prices to fill up in Alachua County:
- $3.29 at Sam’s Club, 4400 SW 33rd Place, Gainesville.
- $3.29 at Circle K, 7404 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville.
- $3.36 at Circle K, 1515 N Main St., Gainesville.
- $3.38 at Circle K, 20 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville.
- $3.43 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23rd St., Gainesville.
- $3.44 at Pure, 405 NE 1st, High Springs.
Quick Stats
The nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases: Colorado (+18 cents), Florida (+15 cents), Kansas (+15 cents), Georgia (+14 cents), Tennessee (+13 cents), Illinois (+12 cents), Alabama (+12 cents), Minnesota (+12 cents), Iowa (+12 cents) and Wyoming (+11 cents).
The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: Hawaii ($4.93), California ($4.55), Washington ($4.12), Nevada ($3.98), Colorado ($3.83), Pennsylvania ($3.79), Oregon ($3.77), Alaska ($3.74), Illinois ($3.68) and Washington, D.C. ($3.62).