Gas Prices are Slightly Lower than Last Week

Sunday’s state average was the lowest since July 24th

Florida gas prices are moving lower again after a brief increase last week. The state average surprisingly rose 4 cents by Wednesday. Thought those gains were quickly erased by the weekend. Now, Florida drivers are paying $3.48 per gallon, which is nearly 2 cents less than a week ago, and the lowest daily average price since July. 

“Florida gas prices tried to swim upstream early last week, but were quickly knocked back down by week’s end,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil and gasoline suffered big losses in the futures market, which could enable pump prices to move lower. However, that could change depending on how the market responds to rising geopolitical tensions following the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.”

While the Hamas attack on Israel reportedly did not directly impact global supplies, oil prices have risen over the weekend, due to the uncertainty of how things will unfold.

Following the attack, oil prices quickly rose in overnight trading, erasing a portion of what was a big drop in oil prices last week. Sunday night, the U.S. price of crude was trading at above $86 per barrel. Although that’s a 4% increase from Friday, it’s still below the $90 threshold, which is where oil prices spent most of the previous couple of weeks.

It’s unclear exactly how much of an impact the attack on Israel will have on gas prices. Just like oil prices, gasoline futures plummeted last week. The drop amounted to more than 30 cents per gallon. However, unlike oil prices, gasoline futures logged nominal gains since the attack. 

Regional Prices

• Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.66), Naples ($3.57), Port St. Lucie ($3.53)
• Least expensive metro markets – Pensacola ($3.25), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3.27), Panama City ($3.36)

Ways to Save on Gasoline

• Combine errands to limit driving time.
• Shop around for the best gas prices in your community. 
• Pay with cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
• Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds taken out of the vehicle improves fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
• Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.

AAA Resources for Drivers

• Enroll in savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon each additional trip to the pump. Click here for more information.
• Get a tune-up. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained to optimize its fuel economy. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified repair shop.
• Find the lowest gas prices in your area by using the free AAA mobile app.
• Determine anticipated fuel costs for your trip by using the AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator.

Find Florida Gas Prices

• Daily gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.aaa.com 
• State and metro averages can be found here

Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.