Bradenton-Sarasota area gas prices continue to drop

Gas prices continued to drop in the Bradenton-Sarasota area last week, falling 4.1 cents to an average of $2.03 according to GasBuddy.com.

Local prices remain lower than the national average, which decreased 4.5 cents to $2.15.

“Gas prices are at their lowest level for this time of year since 2004, when average prices ranged from $1.80-$1.90,” Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA - The Auto Club Group, said in a press release. “Gas prices are dropping due to abundant fuel supplies and declining crude oil costs. Average prices are 57 cents less than a year ago, and that's motivating millions of Americans to take advantage of cheaper gas to take road trips this summer.”

And GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says the drop in prices shows no signs of slowing.

“I foresee that excluding a major hurricane or other disruption, we are very likely to see many more states with average prices falling under $2 per gallon by Halloween,” DeHaan said. “Truth be told, however, that really isn't a far stretch considering two out of five stations nationally and 11 states are already there.”

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This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 9:42 AM with the headline "Bradenton-Sarasota area gas prices continue to drop."