Gas prices may decline for Thanksgiving

Motorists may be giving thanks this week for lower gas prices - at least if annual trends hold up.
AAA Auto Club South expects retail gasoline prices to fall despite 38 million Americans traveling for Thanksgiving.
Crude oil closed Friday at $76.72 per barrel, 37 cents above the previous week. Current conditions have some analysts expecting a decline in crude oil even with the approach of Thanksgiving and a spike in demand for fuel.
"What might be bad news for oil brokers is often good news for consumers," said Gregg Laskoski, managing director of public relations with AAA Auto Club South. "Aside from any significant decline in the dollar, there's little on the horizon that is likely to push crude prices higher now."
As of Sunday, the national average price of unleaded regular gasoline has increased by 6/10ths of a cent in the past week to $2.64 per gallon; Florida's average price has increased by 8/10ths of a penny.
"In five of the last seven years, the national average price of gasoline has declined during Thanksgiving week and one week it remained unchanged, said Laskoski. "Only once in the last seven years have prices increased and that was 2006 when the national average price of unleaded gasoline increased by 3 cents per gallon during Thanksgiving week."
By comparison shopping, motorists in Hernando County can find gas prices well below the state average. For example, two stations along State Road 50 reported unleaded regular at $2.61 per gallon Monday morning.
To find out gas prices in Hernando County, visit http://www.gasbuddy.com/