Gas Prices On The Rise In Florida

WFSU | By Morgan Danford

Published July 24, 2017 at 4:06 PM EDT

Prices at the pump increased seven cents this week across the state.

AAA reports Florida has the 16 ^th cheapest gas in the U.S.—that’s including a seven cent increase across the state.

Prices at the pump rose this week as a result of oil and wholesale prices.

Mark Jenkins with AAA said the increase will probably last through the end of the summer.

“…It wouldn’t be a surprise to see gas prices move higher here in the next month or so as we head to toward the end of summer,” he said. “But by Labor Day and after, we should see gas prices coming back down because demand will soften a bit, people aren’t driving as much, but production should still remain very strong.”

Prices are about the same as this time last year, Jenkins said.

Today, Floridians are paying an average of $2.20 for gas. In South Carolina, the state with the cheapest prices, drivers pay an average of $1.99.

Regardless, Jenkins said the increase won’t hit pockets too hard.

“We’re still seeing gas prices that are about where they were last year, just a little bit higher, but they’re not anywhere near $2.50 or $3.00 which is where they were several years ago.”

“People are still saving money at the pump when you compare it to years past so I wouldn’t expect it to have that big of an impact.”

Jenkins said the increase will most likely go back down after the summer driving season is over.