After going up for a brief period last week, gas prices are back on the decline.  Maybe even for the next few weeks, according to one expert.

“I think we’re going to see consistent decline over the next several weeks at least,” said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com.

“Barring any unforeseen event in the Middle East.  You know, if things can stay quiet there, where we don’t see any dramatic spike in crude oil prices, then I still think we’re going to see these prices consistently move lower now.”

As of October 15, the average price for a gallon of gas in Jacksonville is $3.66.  One week ago the price was $3.62, and a month ago it was $3.77.  The average price nationally for a gallon of gas right now is $3.76.

Prices dropped steadily from the middle of September until around October 6.  That’s when we saw the beginning of a short uptick in prices. 

Laskoski says the situation in Libya created quite a bit of volatility in crude oil prices.

“We saw crude oil prices move up immediately after that,” Laskoski said.  “And then there were some problems in California, a few problems in the Gulf – refinery issues and so forth – that also stalled what we expected to be a consistent decline in wholesale as well as retail gasoline prices.”

As of now, Laskoski says East Coast and Gulf Coast refinery outputs are fairly healthy.

“In fact, the Gulf Coast region at almost eighty-nine percent is doing better than just about any other region in the country,” he said.

Laskoski says if you have a little bit on time to spare before you fill up your gas tank, wait until later in the week, as prices should be lower than they are today.

You can also join in the conversation on Facebook and on Twitter to let us know how low YOU would like to see gas prices drop for you to be satisfied.