While prices at the pump remain steady, Hurricane Helene’s only impact will be on gas demand but shouldn’t affect cost.

According to Thursday’s weekly AAA report, the average price per gallon in the Gainesville market fell from $3.21 last week to $3.20 and went up slightly from $3.15 to $3.17 in Florida. Nationally, the price dipped two cents from $3.22 to $3.20.

“Hurricane Helene will likely impact gasoline demand, but not supply,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson in a press release. “The storm is missing the Gulf’s oil production and refining centers as it lumbers through the Southeast. But power outages, structural damage, and road flooding will hinder people from fueling up for a few days. So any impact on the national average will probably be fleeting.”

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gas demand rose from 8.77 million barrels per day (b/d) last week to 9.20. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell slightly from 221.6 million barrels of crude oil (bbl) to 220.1, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels daily.    

Thursday’s national average of $3.22 is 13 cents less than last month’s $3.35. Last year, the price was at $3.83.

Florida is the 20^th most expensive state in price per gallon at $3.17. Last month, gas was $3.27 per gallon and last year it was $3.57 statewide.  

In the Gainesville area, last month’s price was $3.36 per gallon, and last year it was $3.60.

According to gasbuddy.com, here are the cheapest stations to fill up at in Alachua County: 

• $2.89 at Pilot, 17276 US 301, Waldo
• $2.89 at Raceway, 15330 NW US 301, Waldo
• $2.95 at Circle K, 19531 NW US Hwy 441, High Springs
• $2.98 at Chevron, 401 N. Main St., High Springs
• $2.99 at Pure, 405 NE 1st, High Springs
• $2.99 at Sunoco, 610 NE 1^st Ave., High Springs
• $3.04 at Chevron, 830 NW 1^st St., High Springs
• $3.05 at Love’s Travel Stop, 5615 SE US 301, Hawthorne
• $3.05 at Circle K, 16070 Marin Luther King Blvd., Alachua

Quick Gas and Electricity Stats

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.71), Hawaii ($4.60), Washington ($4.08), Nevada ($3.95), Alaska ($3.68), Oregon ($3.68, Utah ($3.58), Idaho ($3.51), Colorado ($3.49), and Illinois ($3.46).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.71), Texas ($2.77), Louisiana ($2.77), Tennessee ($2.79), Alabama ($2.80), Oklahoma ($2.82), Arkansas ($2.86), Missouri ($2.88), South Carolina ($2.88), and Kansas ($2.90).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Delaware (26 cents), Wisconsin (28 cents), Nebraska (28 cents), Texas (29 cents), Vermont (30 cents), Michigan (30 cents,) North Dakota (30 cents), and Utah (31 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (57 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), Idaho (43 cents), Montana (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Tennessee (41 cents), South Dakota (41 cents), and Alaska (41 cents).