Gas prices see record lows just in time for holiday weekend

Heading out of town for the holiday weekend? Fill up now.

National gas prices are hovering at an all-time low for the year at $2.26 per gallon — the lowest they’ve been since February, according to auto club AAA.

However, AAA predicts that 37.5 million Americans will drive to their holiday destination, which potentially can mean an increase in holiday weekend gas prices.

Florida saw the biggest decrease in gas prices in the region with a 7 cent drop per gallon, according to AAA, which collected data from credit card swipes at gas stations nationwide. Prices in Miami dropped 5.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.27 per gallon Sunday, according to a GasBuddy.com survey of Miami gas retailers.

At some places in the Miami area, though, you could find prices cheaper than average.

Fill up at Costco, 7795 W Flagler St., for a cheap $2.08 per gallon; the Sunoco on Northwest 27th Avenue near Northwest 131st Street for $2.09 per gallon; or head to Chevron on Northwest 95th Street and Northwest Sixth Avenue for just $2.11.

GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan said the prices will continue to drop as retailers “play catch up” to the low market prices of crude oil. SUV drivers who fill up this week can save about $11 per tank, while smaller cars can save around $6.

DeHaan said perhaps people can finally get rid of “the myth” that gas prices spike during holiday weekends such as the Fourth of July.

“It’s amazing we’re staring at some of the cheapest prices of the year as the holiday comes into view,” DeHaan said. “This is like Christmas in July.”

This story was originally published June 26, 2017 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Gas prices see record lows just in time for holiday weekend."