Gas prices in Gainesville and the rest of the state continued their downward spiral over the past seven days but there was a slight increase in the average price nationally blamed on the back-to-back hurricanes that ravaged parts of the country.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded popped two pennies higher to $3.21 since last week, according to AAA.
“All this terrible weather lately could cause regional prices to rise as drivers flock to the few open stations with gas,” said spokesman Andrew Gross. “But as roads are cleared and power is restored, stations will be able to be re-supplied, so any upward pressure on prices should be fleeting.”
Locally, the average price in Gainesville today is $2.61 compared to $2.70 last Monday. The statewide average is $2.70, down from $2.74 a week ago.