Gas prices in Bradenton-Sarasota keep falling

MANATEE -- Average retail gasoline prices in the Bradenton-Sarasota area have fallen 6.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.08 a gallon, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 308 area gas outlets. This compares with the national average that has fallen 5.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.20 a gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Prices on Sunday were 95.9 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 1.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago in Bradenton-Sarasota. The national average has decreased 8.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 83.9 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

"October ends with the Halloween tradition of trick or treating. The good news for drivers is that the treats should extend into November," said Jeff Pelton, GasBuddy's senior petroleum analyst for the Northeast.

Nationwide, 21 percent of gas stations are selling gasoline below $2 a gallon. Drivers are saving 5 cents per gallon week-over-week and 8 cents per gallon month-over-month. Significant yearly savings persist, and the national average is discounted by 85 cents per gallon from this same date last year, according to AAA - The Auto Club Group.

The current average price in Florida of $2.12 is 6 cents lower than last week, and 93 cents lower than this time last year.

"Gas prices keep falling because oil prices are low and gasoline supply continues to outpace demand," AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. "Barring any unanticipated disruptions in supply, or spikes in the price of crude oil, the national average could fall below the $2 per gallon threshold for the first time since 2009 before the end of year."

This story was originally published October 26, 2015 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Gas prices in Bradenton-Sarasota keep falling ."