Gas drops below $2 in SWFL

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Driving across Lee County, you might spot a nice surprise as you pass gas stations.

Gas prices across Southwest Florida are once again dropping. Thursday, many residents spotted gas as low as $1.98 a gallon.

“It’s wonderful, it’s wonderful. I love to see it, it’s about time,” said Sharon Knight, as she filled up her tank at the 7-Eleven on Colonial Boulevard and Winkler Avenue. “This is the lowest I’ve seen it quite some time.”

AAA confirmed to WINK News this is the cheapest gas has been in the area in 14 years. Many of the cheapest prices were found along Colonial Boulevard. Drivers in the area say these savings will go a long way for them this month.

“Saving $30 or $40. That’s $60 to $80 a month that you can put toward something else, like phones or cable and other stuff that’s going up,” said Randy Northrop.

Knight says she plans to put those savings to use this upcoming holiday season.

“My husband and I have talked about going to the other coast to go camping. Which is something that we normally wouldn’t be able to do if the prices were up where they were. You know, almost $4 a gallon.”

Northrop also said he can breathe a little easier, heading to the pump from now on .

“I think it’s a lot easier to fill your tank up, lasts a lot longer and you know, $30 bucks fills your tank versus $70. Definitely helps out with the day-to-day bills.”

AAA also says they expect prices to continue to drop as the year comes to an end.