Gas prices have increased in Florida this week.
Prices are up 2 cents a gallon statewide over last week, and inched up in the Miami area and Bradenton-Sarasota. North Florida is still the cheapest area in the state to fill up, with some prices 30 cents less a gallon than in parts of South Florida.
Here’s what to know:
Gas prices in Tampa Bay:
▪ :The average price in Pasco County: $3.57 a gallon, according to AAA The Auto Group. The average prices in Tampa Bay are about 3 cents per gallon higher than the state average, but in line with the national average.
▪ Pinellas County: $3.62
▪ Hillsborough County: $3.62
Florida price at the pump
Average: The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida on Monday, according to AAA, was $3.59
Gas prices around Florida
Monday prices, according to AAA:
Bradenton/Sarasota: $3.59
Fort Myers: 3.60
Jacksonville:$3.56
Naples:$3.68
Orlando: $3.50
Panama City: $3.37
Pensacola:$3.36
Port St. Lucie:$3.63
Tampa/St. Pete:$3.61
US price at the pump
Average: The average price for a gallon of gas across the country on Monday, according to AAA, was $3.65
What the experts are saying
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy: “We’ve seen the national average fade slightly again as oil prices have cooled and our spring peak appears to be more confidently behind us. While refinery utilization rates last week indicated that there is still some refinery maintenance work to be done, oil prices have helped put downward pressure on gasoline prices, with oil falling below $80 per barrel last week. In addition, a weaker than expected jobs report is adding to some concerns that gasoline demand could remain weak through the summer driving season, which is just a few weeks from beginning. With the seasonal factors behind us, looking ahead, we expect gasoline prices to continue cooling alongside diesel prices as we look forward to Memorial Day weekend.”
How to find cheap gas near you
There’s an app to help:The GasBuddy app was built to show motorists prices around them and a fuel tracker can update users on stations that have or don’t have fuel based on supply changes.
