Florida - Gas prices are rising again in Florida after last month's lows.
In the last week, gas prices in Florida increased 7 cents, the 2nd largest jump in price in the country. On Sunday, the average throughout the state was $2.21 per gallon. The state average for this period is $2.31 per gallon, 25 cents higher than this time last year.
"Consumers saw a sudden swing at the pump last week, as summer demand soars and crude inventories declined,” says AAA – The Auto Club Group spokesman, Mark Jenkins. “Gas prices should trend higher through the second half of the summer, and could challenge this year’s high of $2.47 before it’s all over. Fortunately, gas prices will drop after Labor Day, as demand weakens and refiners switch to winter-blend gasoline.”
Currently, gas prices in the state are higher than they were in 2016 which has not happened since early June. From June 10 to July 17, the state's gas prices were below 2016 prices, a decrease of 9 cents in some cases. Prior to that 38-day streak of low prices, the gas prices from January 1 to June 9 were higher than last year with a 54 cent spike in February.
The highest gas price in Florida this year was on April 21 at $2.47 and the lowest was on July 17 at $2.13.
The most expensive gas in the state currently is in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton at $2.29, Miami at $2.24 and Pensacola at $2.23. The least expensive gas is in Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice at $2.17, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater at $2.17 and Jacksonville at $2.17.
Gas prices in Daytona Beach are $2.19. For current gas prices near you, go here.
(Chart courtesy of AAA)
The high gas prices are due to a decline in OPEC's crude oil supplies. OPEC is expected to increase production which will help gas prices go down in the fall. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
