AAA announced that state gas prices dropped by 12 cents over the last week, putting the average price per gallon $2.92. This is the lowest cost for fuel in the state

TAMPA, Fla. — The pain is lessening at the pump as Florida gas prices fall to a new 5-month low.

AAA announced that state gas prices dropped by 12 cents over the last week, putting the average price per gallon $2.92. This is the lowest cost for fuel in the state since May.

“Florida gas prices slipped to the lower end of the 30-cent range, which it has fluctuated within for the past year,” Mark Jenkins, a AAA spokesman, said in a statement. “Global fuel prices are facing downward pressure on reports that global fuel supplies are outpacing demand.”

Officials note that the price of crude oil in the U.S. declined 10% over the past two weeks, with prices per barrel at $58.90 as of Friday. 

This is due to a significant build in domestic fuel inventories, meaning that supply is outpacing demand, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Nationwide, the average price per gallon is at $3.08.


What are gas prices in Tampa?

Closer to home, GasBuddy says fuel prices are down 14 cents per gallon in the last week, with an average of $2.87. This is based on a survey of 1,260 stations in the city.

In comparison, the average price per gallon of gas in Tampa on this same date last year was $3.10.

“Americans appear to be on the cusp of seeing the national average drop below $3 per gallon for the first time in years, as prices have fallen across the vast majority of the country,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy said in a statement.


County-by-county gas prices for the Tampa Bay area

Here are the costs per gallon of gas across Tampa Bay-area counties, according to AAA.

Hillsborough: $2.91Pinellas: $2.92Pasco: $285Polk: $2.88Sarasota: $2.86Manatee: $2.82Hernando: $2.78Citrus: $2.90


How can I save money on gas in Florida?

Here are some ways to save on gas, according to AAA:

Combine errands to limit driving time.Drive conservatively. Avoid aggressive acceleration and speeding, which reduces fuel economy.Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds taken out of the vehicle improves fuel economy by 1 to 2%Shop around for the best gas prices in your community by using the AAA mobile app. Pay with cash. Some retailers charge more per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.