Sarasota gas prices settle at $2 per gallon

Sarasota County residents and tourists this week are enjoying gas prices that have mostly dipped below $2 per gallon, according to price aggregator GasBuddy.com.

The average gas prices for the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice metropolitan area settled at $2, while statewide prices hit a six-year low at $2.06 per gallon, according to a news release from AAA.

“Motorists are now saving an average of $18 for a full tank compared to two years ago when gas prices were above $3," said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins in the release. "These savings couldn’t come at a better time, as Americans look to allocate money for holiday shopping and travel.”

The lowest local prices are in Lakewood Ranch, with gas selling for $1.86 per gallon at one station, and several stations selling gas for less than $2 along Tamiami Trail. Residents can expect prices to slip further through the month.

"After 25 consecutive days of declines, the pump price plunge briefly stopped, then slowly slipped again,” Jenkins said. "This was mainly the result of oil prices inching up a couple of dollars two weeks ago. Fortunately, oil prices fell again last week, which should allow gas prices to creep lower too."