Florida Gas Prices Rise After Hitting Lowest Mark Since February

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

After enjoying the lowest gas prices in four months, Florida drivers are now experiencing a rise at the pump. According to AAA — The Auto Club Group, the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida increased to $3.35 as of Sunday, marking a 10-cent hike over the past week.

Just last Tuesday, prices had dropped to $3.23 per gallon, the lowest since mid-February, before spiking by up to 15 cents and then settling slightly lower over the weekend.

This rise ends a 26-day streak of falling gas prices, during which the average cost per gallon had decreased by 33 cents. Mark Jenkins, a spokesperson for AAA, explained that the increase is due to fluctuations in futures prices.

“Oil and gasoline futures prices rose over the past two weeks, raising the cost of producing gasoline,” Jenkins said. “Such price fluctuations are common during the summer travel season.”

Despite this recent increase, Florida’s average gas price of $3.35 per gallon remains about 10 cents lower than the national average of $3.45 per gallon. Crude oil prices have also played a role in this change, with the U.S. price for crude oil climbing above $80 per barrel after weeks below that mark. As of Friday, crude oil closed at $80.73 per barrel, up 7% from two weeks earlier.

Gas prices vary significantly across different regions in Florida. The most expensive area to fill up is the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton market, with an average price of $3.53 per gallon.

This is followed by Gainesville and Naples, averaging $3.41 per gallon. The cheapest places to get gas are Crestview-Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, and Panama City, where the average price is around $3.11 per gallon.

Overall, while the recent increase in gas prices is unwelcome, Florida’s average price remains below the national average. Drivers should keep an eye on prices and plan accordingly, especially during the busy summer travel season when fluctuations are more common.

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