Bradenton-Sarasota gas prices buck national trend by falling in past week
Whereas gas prices are climbing in most states, costs in Florida have been holding steady – better yet, closer to home, they’ve been falling in recent days.
According to AAA’s fuel tracker, prices in the Bradenton-Sarasota area were averaging $2.26 per gallon for regular unleaded on Monday, which ranked among the least-expensive regions in the state.
Prices in the two-county region dropped two cents in the past week, while the state average of $2.28 on Monday marked a one-cent drop in the past seven days.
Meanwhile, the national average was $2.35, up five cents from a week earlier.
Still, prices are 28 cents in the Bradenton-Sarasota region than they were this time a year ago.
We’re unlikely to break out of the well-established rut in the national average which has kept prices between $2.12 and $2.42 for the last 15 months.
Gasbuddy senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan
“Although gasoline demand is keeping pace with last year’s levels, oil prices are making the biggest difference in prices at the pump,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “Steady declines in crude supplies have pushed oil prices about $10 per barrel higher than last year, making it more expensive to produce gasoline.”
Gasbuddy, which surveys more than 300 outlets in the region, had Manatee County and Sarasota County stations averaging $2.25 per gallon Monday. Nearby, Pinellas County stations were at $2.24 and Hillsborough County was at $2.23.
Even as analysts project prices will drop once the summer driving season ends, “We’re unlikely to break out of the well-established rut in the national average which has kept prices between $2.12 and $2.42 for the last 15 months,” Gasbuddy senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan said.
According to AAA, only Fort Myers-Cape Coral ($2.24), Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater ($2.25) and Orlando ($2.25) had less-expensive averages in Florida on Monday than Bradenton-Sarasota.
The most-expensive regions in the state were West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.38), Miami ($2.31) and Pensacola ($2.31).
Mike Garbett: 941-745-7011; @MGarbett52
This story was originally published August 7, 2017 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Bradenton-Sarasota gas prices buck national trend by falling in past week."