The average price for gas in Florida is now $2.22 per gallon for regular, according to AAA South. That's a 14-cent hike per gallon in the past week, and 21 cents over the past month.
In South Florida, prices are even higher. According to AAA, the current average in the region that stretches from West Palm Beach to Boca Raton is $2.33 for regular, $2.66 for mid-grade and $2.93 for premium.
Image: AAA.com
While the price of gas is up, it remains lower than last year's high of $2.52 per gallon for regular locally.
If you're a savvy shopper, you can still find gas for much less. Scan WPTV's Gas Price guide, where currently gas stations are listed that are selling regular as low as $2.01 on the Treasure Coast and $2.10 in West Palm Beach.
According to Joshua Carrasco with AAA South, the higher prices are due to recent increases in the price of oil.
In an email to WPTV, Carrasco said, "Oil has increased about $7-$8 since the beginning of the month, which has caused upward pressure on gasoline. On average a $1 increase in a barrel of oil equals about a 2.5 cent increase in the price of gas."
And Mark Jenkins, also with AAA, says we may also start to see more increases in the pump in the next couple of days in response to the storm that's been threatening the peninsula.
As for why it's more expensive here than in other parts of the state, Jenkins says, "Prices in West Palm often mirror those in Miami. South Florida prices are usually the most expensive in the state. That’s primarily because it’s more expensive to operate a business in south Florida in terms of property taxes, labor costs, etc. Shipping costs are also a little more expensive."
On the bright side, the current $2.33 a gallon looks like a bargain when you compare it with the record high average price for our area. That was $4.18 a gallon on July 17, 2008.
If you see cheap gas at an area station, share the info with others on our Gas Price guide page.
