Gas prices dip in Bradenton-Sarasota, but don't expect it to last

MANATEE -- You can feel a bit better about filling up the tank today: Average retail gasoline prices have fallen 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week in the Bradenton-Sarasota area, averaging $2.16 a gallon, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 308 area gas outlets.

The national average fell 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.21 a gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Prices on Monday are 46.4 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 15.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 16.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 45.2 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

Statewide, pricesa averaged $2.20 a gallon, down 0.9 cents per gallon from last week's $2.20 a gallon.

"While it's rare in May to see the national average price of gasoline nearly 2 cents lower from the previous week, we've seen that retail gasoline has consistently matched West Texas crude oil's increases and subsequent plateaus since February," said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.

"In 2015, we saw the national average peak in June and the year before it peaked in April, so while the current plateau may seem encouraging for motorists, we still expect rising consumer demand to elevate gasoline prices as we approach the beginning of the summer driving season," Laskoski added.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 9:38 AM with the headline "Gas prices dip in Bradenton-Sarasota, but don't expect it to last ."