Daytona Beach, FL - Gasoline experts call it a slight reprieve for Florida motorists but not one you can expect to last for very long.
The latest report from AAA shows the average for a gallon of regular in the Daytona Beach metro area dropped four cents in the past week to $2.72, even as the nationwide average went up by a nickel.
AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins says he can see the average going right back up to $2.76 quickly, especially with recent wholesale price increases in gas.
"Rising demand and refinery issues are keeping upward pressure on gas prices," Jenkins added. "It could be another couple of weeks before refineries return to full strength and pump prices level out."
At the county level, Volusia and Flagler each report an average of $2.72 per gallon of regular, 12 cents higher than it was two weeks ago.
As a state, Florida's coughing up an average of $2.71 at the pump for regular, 24 cents more than a month ago and 9 cents more than this time last year, per AAA.
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.82) Naples ($2.77) and Gainesville ($2.76) are the most expensive in the state by metro area, with Pensacola ($2.65), Melbourne-Titusville ($2.66) and Punta Gorda ($2.66) at the lower end of the scale.
Nationally, the current average for regular is $2.74, according to AAA.
