Ryan Nicol
Gas prices in the state dropped an average of four cents per gallon this past week, according to the newest report from AAA.
The news follows a recent rise of five cents per gallon, according to the group’s previous report.
But with last week’s dip, the average price of a gallon of gas in Florida now sits at $2.40. That’s 22 cents under the national average of $2.62 per gallon.
Florida’s prices also represent a drop from what the state’s drivers were paying a year ago.
“Florida drivers are paying 18 cents per gallon less than this time last year,” said Matt Nasworthy, the Florida Public Affairs Director for AAA — The Auto Club Group. “A massive build in crude inventories and declining demand helped keep crude prices steady, while wholesale gasoline prices moved lower late last week.”
Of course, there’s still variation on that average throughout the state. West Palm Beach sits well about that $2.40 average, with prices hovering at $2.52 per gallon in the area. That makes West Palm Beach the most expensive metro market in the state when it comes to fuel.
Coming in second is Panama City, with an average price of $2.51 a gallon. That’s followed by Gainesville at $2.46.
On the flip side, Orlando is tied with the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area for the lowest gas prices in a metro market. Drivers there pay about $2.34 per gallon. Jacksonville is right behind, with prices sitting at $2.35 a gallon.
In addition to trending downward four cents the past week and 18 cents the past year, Florida’s average price of gas has dipped just under four cents over the past month. A gallon of gas then sat just under $2.44.
The current number is also well below the yearly high of $2.80 a gallon. Last year’s high reached $2.92 per gallon.
But while prices have dropped, the state is still a ways away from having the cheapest gallon of gas in the country. That distinction belongs to Louisiana, where the average price sits at $2.23 a gallon.
