Scott Powers
Gasoline prices in Florida surged by 11 cents per gallon in the middle of last week but then began settling back again, AAA — The Auto Club Group reported Monday morning.
Florida drivers Monday are paying an average of 9 cents per gallon than they did a week earlier. That’s due to an 11 cent rise that occured last Wedneday, then a little sag in prices over the weekend, AAA reported. The downward trend appears to be continuing into this week, but there remains concern.
“Florida gas prices increased along-side crude oil and gasoline futures prices last week,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group, stated in a news release. “Fuel prices rose after weekly supply data showed a dip in crude supplies that was bigger than industry insiders expected. Upward pressure also remained amid renewed optimism over the US-China trade deal and news that OPEC and its allies agreed to cut production at a higher rate than experts expected. Pump prices appear to be trending lower to start the week. The latest wholesale prices suggest a gradual return to the mid-$2.40s for the state average, but volatility remains.”
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.52 per gallon for regular gasoline. The state average is 9 cents more than a week ago, and 24 cents per gallon more than this time last year. That means Florida drivers are paying nearly $4 more for a tank of gasoline than they did a year ago. Even still, the average fill up costs $4.50 less than it did earlier this year, when prices hit their 2019 peak in April.
Florida prices on average are about 5 cents below the national average.
The cheapest gas in Florida can be found in Pensacola [$2.37 per gallon,] Crestview-Fort Walton Beach [$2.42,] and Panama City [$2.45.]
The most expensive gas in Florida is in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton [$2.62,] Sebring [$2.57,] and Port St. Lucie [$2.56.]
In Tampa and Miami, drivers are paying an average of $2.48 per gallon; in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg, $2.50; in Orlando,$2.51; and in Fort Lauderdale, $2.54, according to AAA.
