Gas prices continued a downward spiral with the cost at the pump in the Gainesville area hitting its lowest mark of the year since February.

According to Thursday’s weekly AAA gas report, the average cost per gallon of gas dropped from last week’s $3.43 to $3.33 in the Gainesville market. The statewide average in Florida per gallon decreased nine cents from $3.36 to $3.27 while the nationwide average went from $3.48 to $3.46.

“Gasoline demand has trailed 2023 for most of this year, and analysts believe economic uncertainty may suppress demand this summer,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the press release. “So, is the typical robust summer driving season a thing of the past? Or is gas demand just taking longer to pick up steam?  We may not know until autumn.”

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand crept higher from 8.94 barrels per day (b/d) to 9.04 last week. The total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 230.9 to 233.5 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) as production increased last week, averaging 10.1 million barrels per day.

Thursday’s national average of $3.46 is 15 cents less than last month’s $3.61. Last year, the price was at $3.59.

Florida is the 18^th least expensive state in price per gallon at $3.27. Last month, gas was $3.44 per gallon and last year it was $3.47 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.55 per gallon, and last year it was $3.47.

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

• $3.13 at BP, 2230 E. University Ave., Gainesville
• $3.14 at Circle K, 16070 Martin Luther King Blvd., Alachua
• $3.15 at Circle K, 15089 NW US 441, Alachua
• $3.16 at Murphy Express, 6323 NW 23^rd St., Gainesville
• $3.16 at Sunoco, 5310 NW 13^th St., Gainesville
• $3.17 at Circle K, 5708 NW 34^th St., Gainesville
• $3.18 at The Short Stop, 2610 NE 39^th Ave., Gainesville
• $3.19 at BP, 15980 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua
• $3.19 at Gate, 506 NW 13^th St., Gainesville

Quick Stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Ohio (+17 cents), California (-10 cents), Nevada (-10 cents), Alaska (-10 cents), Michigan (+9 cents), Illinois (-9), Indiana (+9), Florida (-8), Washington (-7 cents), and Utah (-7 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($2.93), Arkansas ($2.95), Oklahoma ($3.01), Louisiana ($3.01), Texas ($3.02), Kansas ($3.02), Tennessee ($3.03), Missouri ($3.05), Alabama ($3.08), and South Carolina ($3.11).