AAA GAS BRIEF: Florida Bucks Rising Prices as Demand and Wholesale Pricing Increase

By AAA // July 31, 2018

Prices expected to jump this week at Florida Pumps

ABOVE VIDEO: Tips to help you improve your mileage from the car care experts at AAA.

(AAA)– Gas prices rose two cents nationwide last week, as prices in the southeast face upward pressure. Wholesale gasoline prices rose eight cents in Florida and Georgia, and seven cents in Tennessee.

Gas prices in Florida declined two cents last week, but face upward pressure heading into Monday. Wholesale prices rose 6 cents during the last few days, raising the price for retailers to fill their tanks.

Florida gas prices averaged $2.74 per gallon on Sunday. The state average is 2 cents less than a week ago, 3 cents more than last month, and 45 cents more than a year ago.

Click here to view AAA’s state and metro gas price averages

The most expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.89), Panama City ($2.86), and West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.84)
The least expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater ($2.66), Punta Gorda ($2.66), and Orlando ($2.66)

“Motorists may see higher gas prices this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Strong demand and lower inventories pushed wholesale prices higher.”

“The added cost for retailers will likely be passed along to motorists. Based on demand figures, summer drivers are unfazed by higher prices at the pump this year. Fortunately, a potential 5-10 cent increase this week would still leave pump prices below this year’s highs.”

Although oil prices held relatively steady last week, gasoline futures surged for the second week. The price for gasoline on the NYMEX rose a total of 16 cents during the past two weeks, pushing wholesale gas prices higher.

Gasoline rose in response to EIA data that showed a dip in gasoline supply inventories, as gasoline demand reaches near record levels. Gasoline demand for the week of July 20, was the fourth highest weekly rate this year.

Average Summer Gas Prices
	2014	2015	2016	2017	Today
National	$3.57	$2.71	$2.23	$2.31	$2.86
Florida	$3.50	$2.58	$2.19	$2.25	$2.74
Georgia	$3.48	$2.57	$2.11	$2.18	$2.72
Tennessee	$3.35	$2.45	$2.03	$2.08	$2.61

Gas Price Tools

GasPrices.AAA.com – Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages
AAA Mobile app – Free app that compares gas prices near you
Gas Cost Calculator – Determine how much gasoline will cost on your next road trip

Fuel Savings Tips

Drive Sensibly – Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.

Gas mileage can be reduced 15-30% at highway speeds / 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic
The equivalent of 27¢ – $1.08 per gallon

Observe the speed limit

Not only is it safer – but it can help you save money
Gas mileage rapidly declines at speeds above 50 mph
Every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional 19 cents per gallon for gasoline

Lose the weight

Using your trunk for storage can cost you by way of lower fuel economy
Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle.
An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces your miles per gallon by about 1%
Like paying an additional 3 cents per gallon for every 100 pounds

Use cruise control

Cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed
Conversely, constant throttling at high speeds consumes gasoline much faster

Avoid excess idling

Idling uses a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour
Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked
It only takes 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle

Combine Trips

Saves time and money
Fuel economy is better when your engine is warmed up and you make multiple stops

Inflate Tires

Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure can improve your gas mileage up to 3 percent
It can mean the difference of a couple cents per gallon
Find the recommended tire pressure on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

	Sunday	Saturday	Week Ago	Month Ago	One Year Ago	Highest Price on Record
National	$2.857	$2.857	$2.843	$2.853	$2.309	$4.114 (7/17/2008)
Florida	$2.735	$2.733	$2.754	$2.709	$2.292	$4.079 (7/17/2008)
Georgia	$2.721	$2.720	$2.704	$2.688	$2.178	$4.164 (9/15/2008)
Tennessee	$2.608	$2.609	$2.610	$2.591	$2.078	$4.118 (9/15/2008)
Click here to view current gasoline price averages