With gas prices rising 14 cents a gallon across Florida in the past week and 25 cents over the past ten days, AAA weighed in on Friday morning.
The average gallon of gas in Florida cost $2.48 on Friday. Only 10 days ago, the average gallon of gas in Florida stood at $2.23.
Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA and the Auto Club Group, said Floridians should not be too concerned about the rising prices.
“While it may be hard to stomach, the recent jump at the pump is common this time of year,” said Jenkins. “Maintenance season is underway for refiners along the Gulf Coast. While conducting spring cleaning at their plants, they have also begun sending out summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce. This likely isn’t the end for rising prices. AAA forecasts the national average will peak at around $2.75 by Memorial Day.”
“Florida is now tenth among states with the most expensive gas prices in the nation. Florida gas prices averaged $2.29 per gallon in February,” AAA noted. “The monthly average is 10 cents more than January 2019, yet 30 cents less than February 2018. The primary reason for the year-over-year difference is that crude oil prices in February 2019 averaged $7 per barrel less than in February 2018.”