Daytona Beach, FL - We haven't seen gasoline prices this low all year long in Daytona Beach and many other parts of the Sunshine State.
The latest AAA report shows that the current average for a gallon of regular unleaded locally and throughout Florida is $2.43, which hasn't been the case since just after New Year's Day.
Both averages are seven cents less than a week ago and the lowest it's been at the state level since last December. The national average also fell by seven cents in the past week to $2.56, the lowest it's been since March.
AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins expects those averages to keep dropping, especially since the price of crude dropped by more than 10% on Black Friday.
"Last week's plunge in crude prices adds even more weight to what was already strong downward pressure on prices at the pump," Jenkins added. "Florida motorists should see gas prices drop another 5 to 15 cents as a direct result of the recent crude drop."
AAA stats show the Florida price average has dropped 47 days in a row for a total discount of 39 cents.
Jenkins says price averages are also at or near the lowest of the year in many other Florida metro areas, including Jacksonville, Melbourne, Ocala and Orlando.
"These falling prices are mostly due to record crude production rates from the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia," Jenkins noted. "Unless the oil market quickly recovers, these low gas prices should hang around through the end of the year."
The most expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Panama City ($2.79), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.62) and Miami ($2.62). The least expensive are in Tampa Bay ($2.25), Orlando ($2.27) and Punta Gorda ($2.29).
