Drew Dixon
Gasoline prices remained stable for the average cost for a gallon for the past three weeks in the state, but Floridians paid the lowest prices in years throughout 2020, according to AAA Florida Auto Club data released Monday.
The price for a gallon of gas in the past week averaged $2.19 across Florida. That’s the same as the previous week and about the same as the price just before Christmas that averaged $2.20 in the state.
But AAA officials posted year-end data for 2020 gas prices in Florida that showed the state’s average price for a gallon of gas was $2.11 for the entire year. That’s the lowest annual price for a gallon of gas in the state in 16 years. Much of that drive toward lower gas prices was fueled by the coronavirus outbreak which began in March.
AAA Florida spokesman Mark Jenkins said while news of COVID-19 vaccines being delivered for distribution in the state has helped gas prices rebound in recent weeks, low prices at the pump will likely continue for several weeks if not months.
“Although the fuel market remains optimistic about the long term recovery of fuel demand, thanks to the coronavirus vaccine, the short-term future of prices at the pump will likely continue to be hampered by reports of rising cases of COVID-19,” Jenkins said.
The 2020 average price for gas in Florida is far lower than in recent years. In 2019, the annual average was $2.49 for a gallon of gas. In 2018, the number was even higher at $2.65 and 2017 saw that figure come in at $2.37 per gallon.
The most expensive gas in the state in the past week could be found in West Palm Beach at an average of $2.32 per gallon. Fort Lauderdale and Port St. Lucie were tied for the second most costly gas at $2.22 per gallon.
Punta Gorda and Jacksonville recorded the least expensive gas in Florida at $2.13 per gallon followed by Sarasota at $2.16.
While there was a bump in prices at the pump in Florida about three weeks ago, the Sunshine State has warded off steep increases seen in other areas of the country as the national average for a gallon of gas in the past week was $2.25 per gallon.
