ORLANDO, Fla. — If you’ve noticed a little relief at the pump lately, you’re not alone. Gas prices have been trending down in recent days, giving drivers some much-needed breathing room.
The savings are also making a difference for small business owners who rely on fuel to keep their operations running.
For James Maltby, owner of Maltby’s Tree Service and Landscaping, fuel costs are a major expense.
“Between the chipper, the grinders, just the trucks, the gas for the chainsaws and the smaller equipment. It adds up, it adds up quick,” Maltby said.
Right now is Maltby’s busiest time of the year. With hurricane season underway, more homeowners are getting their yards trimmed and trees maintained. But when fuel prices were higher, he said every fill-up took a bigger bite out of the company’s budget.
“It was a struggle. It really hurt our bottom dollar and our bottom profit line and our margins,” Maltby said.
On average, Maltby said he spends $6,000 a month on fuel alone. Now, with prices falling, Maltby said there’s a sense of relief. He said the savings are helping offset operating costs and giving him the opportunity to invest more into the business.
According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas was around $4.52 during Memorial Day weekend, about a month ago. As of Sunday, it had fallen below the $4 mark, offering some relief as summer travel ramps up.
“Last week, the state average was around $3.96 per gallon. We’re now at just above $3.65. So that’s some great news,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman.
Jenkins said the fuel market has come with a lot of unpredictability over the last few months and what’s happening on a global stage.
He said drivers should still keep an eye on prices and be prepared for any changes.
“The truth of the matter is we just don’t know what the next couple of weeks are going to look like. Right now, things are looking very optimistic and prices are moving lower. But a lot can change on a weekly basis. So we just kind of have to plan ahead, you know, plan for the worst but hope for the best,” Jenkins said.
The timing of lower gas prices could be especially welcome news ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. AAA predicts more than 72 million Americans will travel during the holiday period, giving drivers a little extra confidence as they make their plans.