Hitting the road for the holiday? What you can expect to see at Florida gas stations

This is a good week to hit the road in Florida.

Cool weather. An early start before Christmas. And cheaper gas prices.

In the Miami area, the price dropped another 10 cents from last week to average $3.10 a gallon, analysts said Monday.

“Prices in Miami are 39.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 17.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago,” GasBuddy reported.

Here are some other things to know about gas prices:

Cheapest and most expensive gas

According to GasBuddy, a fuel analysis service that surveys gas stations, the cheapest gas in the Miami area was $2.74 a gallon on Sunday, and the highest price $4.99.

Florida average price

The average price a for gallon of gas in Florida on Monday, according to AAA, was $3.03.

Gas prices around Florida

Areas around the state and their average gas prices, according to Gas Buddy:

Cape Coral: $2.99 a gallon, down 11.1 cents from last week’s $3.10.

Naples: $3.06 a gallon, down 20.5 cents from last week’s $3.26.

Sarasota: $3.01 a gallon, down 12.2 cents from last week’s $3.14.

U.S. average price

The average price for a gallon of gas across the country, according to AAA, was $3.14.

What an expert says

“The national average for a gallon of gasoline is down nearly $2 compared to six months ago, and heading into Christmas travel week, is at its lowest in a year and a half, saving Americans some $750 million every day,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While the decline should take the national average under $3 per gallon in the next week or so, it is soon likely to fade as oil prices have held in the $70 per barrel range. But while the declines for gasoline may fade, diesel prices still have considerable ground to cover, and could fall another 50 cents or more in the weeks ahead. Fuel prices across the board have been plunging back into territory more Americans feel is normal, which could certainly boost economic sentiment going forward.”

How to find cheap gas near you

Several apps, including GasBuddy, Waze and Gas Guru, can help find the cheapest fuel near you. You can also carpool or take public transportation if you want to avoid fueling up. Some transit options are even free.

County-by-county gas prices in Florida

Use the interactive Florida map below, with data from AAA, to see the average gas price by county. Just hover over an area and the price pops up. Keep in mind that there may be a lag in the data.