Early holiday gift for motorists: Gas prices continue to fall

Good news for motorists as the holiday travel season approaches: Gas prices across the Bradenton-Sarasota region have slipped to five-week lows, and analysts predict another wave of declines in the days ahead.

Prices in the two-county region were averaging $2.39 per gallon on Monday, down 13 cents in the past month but well above the $2.15 average for mid-December 2016, according to AAA’s daily fuel tracker.

With refineries producing gas at a higher rate than what is being consumed, prices are expected to continue to fall through the end of the year, even if it is a slow drip of declines.

“Seasonal trends like reduced gasoline demand and increased fuel supply are allowing pump prices to keep moving lower,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “The first half of December is normally characterized by weak demand, as cold weather and shorter days cause Americans to drive less.”

GasBuddy, which tracks fuel pricing, reported Manatee County stations were averaging $2.38 per gallon to start the week, with Sarasota County at $2.39. Nearby, Hillsborough County outlets were at $2.30, with Pinellas County at $2.33.

The Bradenton-Sarasota average was below the state ($2.41) and national ($2.46) averages.

Looking ahead to 2018?

“Motorists who found this year’s gas prices high may want to begin setting aside some additional funds for next year as all signs continue to point to higher prices than this year,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Jacksonville and Orlando areas have the state’s least-expensive aveages at $2.34 per gallon.

As usual, the state’s most-expensive regions are in South Florida, led by West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.54), Miami ($2.52) and Naples ($2.50).

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 9:38 AM with the headline "Early holiday gift for motorists: Gas prices continue to fall."