Competition drives gas prices lower in Collier County

EAST NAPLES, Fla. – Drivers are enjoying lower prices at the gas pump. Four gas stations along Collier Boulevard are selling gas 25 cents below the average price in Collier County.

“Price is excellent right now,” said Walter Krukowski.

Since Sunday, gas has been $2.28 at Murphy’s USA and the RaceTrac off of Collier Boulevard. That price is driving people straight to the pump.

“I love that, so does my wife, which means I can go right over to Wal-Mart and buy something else, which saves me money,” said Krukowski.

To keep up with the low prices, the Shell gas station right next to the RaceTrac is now at the same price and so is the 7-Eleven down the street on U.S. 41.

“The light was on when I got here and now I’ve got over a half a tank with just $14,” said Latoya Sands. “Excited because with everything going up, and milk is even more than gas right now, so any little cut backs are good for me, the little cuts matter.”

So what’s driving these low prices right now? Competition.

A spokesperson for Murphy USA says they want to either be the lowest price or match the lowest competitor in the area. RaceTrac also says they’re trying to stay competitive.

“We’ve been here for 24 years and Shell was the only station, so the prices never fluctuated. But I notice now with the three different gas stations, the prices seem to have come down,” said Krukowski.

“Keep going at war, it saves me money,” said Sands.

According to Gas Buddy, in the last month gas prices have dropped more than 15 cents nationally and they dropped about 20 cents locally. They say gas prices in Florida could go below $2 a gallon by October.