Gas prices in Florida have increased in recent days, reaching $3.85 a gallon on Thursday, the highest they have been so far this year.
According to AAA, the average gallon of gas in Florida cost $3.82 on Sunday, up from $3.74 a gallon at the start of last week. The national average stood at $3.87 a gallon on Sunday.
Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, said drivers in the Sunshine State should not expect gas prices to settle anytime soon.
“The volatility in prices at the pump will likely continue throughout the next couple of months, now that the tropics are beginning to heat up,” said Jenkins. “Pump prices typically increase if a tropical system threatens refineries along the Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi coastlines. These refineries are the primary supplier of gasoline for Florida. The extent of the price hike varies, depending on the severity of the storm and extent of any damages sustained by the refineries or supply chain.”
The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area had the most expensive gas in the state at $3.96 a gallon, followed by Naples and Gainesville, which both saw an average of $3.89 a gallon.
The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach area saw the least expensive gas in the state with an average of $3.52 a gallon, followed by Pensacola at $3.55 a gallon and Panama City at $3.57 a gallon.
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