ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014\u00a0If you\u2019ve noticed a little relief at the pump lately, you\u2019re not alone. Gas prices have been trending down in recent days, giving drivers some much-needed breathing room.<\/p>\n
The savings are also making a difference for small business owners who rely on fuel to keep their operations running.<\/p>\n
For James Maltby, owner of Maltby\u2019s Tree Service and Landscaping, fuel costs are a major expense.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween the chipper, the grinders, just the trucks, the gas for the chainsaws and the smaller equipment. It adds up, it adds up quick,\u201d Maltby said.<\/p>\n
Right now is Maltby\u2019s 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\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a struggle. It really hurt our bottom dollar and our bottom profit line and our margins,\u201d Maltby said.<\/p>\n
On average, Maltby said he spends $6,000 a month on fuel alone. Now, with prices falling, Maltby said there\u2019s a sense of relief. He said the savings are helping offset operating costs and giving him the opportunity to invest more into the business.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast week, the state average was around $3.96 per gallon. We\u2019re now at just above $3.65. So that\u2019s some great news,\u201d said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman.<\/p>\n
Jenkins said the fuel market has come with a lot of unpredictability over the last few months and what\u2019s happening on a global stage.<\/p>\n
He said drivers should still keep an eye on prices and be prepared for any changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe truth of the matter is we just don\u2019t 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,\u201d Jenkins said.<\/p>\n