Gas prices expected to remain low

AAA reveals 2016 outlook

Get

The low prices we’ve enjoyed in recent weeks are likely to continue for much of 2016, the AAA travel club predicts.

AAA estimates that the average price of gas nationally this year will wind up at $2.25 to $2.45 — about the

used

to

cheap

gasoline. same as last year.

That price was the second-cheapest average in the past 10 years. Only 2009 was cheaper at $2.36.

Average gas prices dropped below $2 on Dec. 21 for the first time since March 25, 2009, AAA says.

On Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular in Palm Beach County was $2.16, down 1 cent from last week and 32 cents from a year ago, AAA said.

The average price in Broward County was $2.09, 2

the

$2.40

average cents cheaper than last week and 36 cents lower than last year.

In Miami-Dade County, the average Monday was $2.11, down 2 cents from a week ago and 29 cents from a year ago.

Prices in South Florida ranged from $1.86 in Pompano Beach to $3.79 in Miami, according to gasbuddy.com, an online price tracker.

Gasbuddy estimated the statewide average at $1.99 per gallon Monday afternoon, although prices run higher in South Florida because of higher local taxes.

AAA warned that prices could rise slightly in late winter as refineries shut down for maintenance in advance of the busy summer driving season.

But prices should remain flat or fall by as much as 10 cents of the next few weeks, AAA said.

Prices could rise higher than expected this year if there are significant changes in the oil market, but most analysts expect that the market will remain oversupplied throughout the year.