How low can gas prices go? Below $2 in Bradenton-Sarasota

BRADENTON -- Gasoline prices in the Bradenton-Sarasota area dropped another 1.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.98 a gallon to start the week.

According to GasBuddy's daily survey of 308 area gas outlets, prices are 60.1 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 16.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. This compares with the national average that has fallen 1.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.01 a gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Across Florida, the average was $2.03 a gallon, down 2.4 cents per gallon from last week's $2.05 a gallon. In Tampa, prices were lower at $1.93 a gallon.

"We are going to end this year with the lowest gas prices since 2008, and people want to know, can it get even lower? Yes, it can," says Jeff Pelton, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. "There is simply too much crude oil out there for gas prices not to decline."

The national average is at its lowest price since 2009 and is near the $2 per gallon threshold, AAA reported Monday. Retail averages have fallen for 32 of the past 36 days. Drivers are saving 57 cents per gallon versus this same date last year.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 10:17 AM with the headline "How low can gas prices go? Below $2 in Bradenton-Sarasota ."