Good news, Bradenton-Sarasota drivers: Gas prices still dropping

MANATEE -- Average retail gasoline prices in Bradenton-Sarasota have fallen almost another penny per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.98 a gallon to start this week, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 308 area gas outlets.

Prices fell 0.7 cents a gallon, comparing with the national average that has fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.99 a gallon. That's the first time since March 2009, AAA reported.

That means prices in Bradenton-Sarasota are 44.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago and 9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. Prices statewide averaged a bit higher, but are still 1.2 cents a gallon lower in the past week at $2.01.

"With the national average price of gas slipping below $2 on Saturday, the holiday season continues to reward most consumers at the pump," said Gregg Laskoski, a senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. "But the Grinch turned up in California, replacing price declines with price spikes. California's hikes tie directly to issues at two refineries with combined capacity exceeding 400,000 barrels per day. Consequently, California's average price has climbed by 8 cents per gallon while the rest of the country for the most part sees declines."

Motorists can find gas prices below $2 at 68 percent of gas stations nationwide.

"A global oversupply of oil has led to the lowest gas prices for the year-end holidays since 2008," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "This will make travel more affordable for the 91.3 million Americans forecast to drive during the next two weeks."

AAA estimates that cheaper gas prices have saved Americans more than $100 billion on gasoline so far this year compared to 2014, which works out to nearly $550 per licensed driver in the country. Americans are on track this year to drive a record number of miles, largely due to lower gas prices and a stronger economy, based on early estimates by the Federal Highway Administration. Through September, which is the most recent data available, Americans have driven 2.4 trillion miles for the year, which is a 3.5 percent increase over 2014.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 9:48 AM with the headline "Good news, Bradenton-Sarasota drivers: Gas prices still dropping ."