C.J. Gish
Gas prices rose 5 cents locally and 7 cents per gallon nationally and the record-setting pace has no end in sight.
According to Monday’s AAA weekly report, the national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month and gas prices have either remained flat or risen every day since April 24 with new daily records since May 10. That was the day gas eclipsed the previous record high of $4.33, set earlier this year on March 11. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.59 and all 50 states are above $4 per gallon.
“Gasoline is $1.05 more than it was on February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson in a statement. “That sent shock waves through the oil market that have kept oil costs elevated. Domestically, meanwhile, seasonal gas demand is rising as more drivers hit the road, despite the pain they face paying at the pump.”
The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 4.8 million barrels of oil (bbl) to 220.2 million bbl last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand increased from 8.7 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9 million b/d. The supply/demand dynamic and volatile crude oil prices will keep upward pressure on pump prices.
AAA shows Florida ranks 24th in the nation for the highest average gas cost at $4.53 per gallon, a new state record over last week’s $4.50.
In Gainesville, prices are $4.56 per gallon, up 5 cents from last Monday and 43 cents from last month. Last year the average cost per gallon was $2.90.
According to GasBuddy.com, the following locations have the best prices in Alachua County:
- $4.38 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
- $4.39 at BP, 15295 NE US 301, Waldo
- $4.39 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
- $4.49 at Amoco, 1720 S. Main St., Gainesville
- $4.49 at Chevron, 7500 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville
- $4.49 at Sunoco, 18603 NW County Rd. 236, High Springs
- $4.49 at Shell, 13820 NW 140th St., Alachua
- $4.51 at Circle K, 9303 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville
- $4.52 at Circle K, 5200 NE Waldo Rd., Gainesville
Nationally, the average price is at $4.59 per gallon, up from $4.52 last week, $4.12 a month ago and $3.04 a year ago.
Quick Stats
The nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases: Alaska (+31 cents), Michigan (+18 cents), Indiana (+18 cents), New York (+18 cents), Washington (+17 cents), West Virginia (+17 cents), Ohio (+16 cents), Oregon (+16 cents), New Jersey (+16 cents) and Maine (+15 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Oklahoma ($4.04), Kansas ($4.05), Arkansas ($4.12), Minnesota ($4.14), Colorado ($4.14), Georgia ($4.14), Missouri ($4.15), Nebraska ($4.15), Iowa ($4.15) and North Dakota ($4.17).
