Florida gas prices jump 11 cents last week; see Seminole County's best prices

AAA: "Early-month pump price hikes are something we've seen many times during the past year. Pump prices rose at the beginning of the month, but trickled down from there."

From AAA

Florida gas prices took a surprising leap last week, rising an average of 11 cents. Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.49 per gallon.

Prices at the pump are now the most expensive in more than a year. The state average is now the highest since January 2020. During that time, the price of crude was sitting at the same level it is now.

Crude oil prices have also bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The price for U.S. crude rose to nearly $57 per barrel on Friday; the most expensive oil price since January 2020. Friday's settlement of $56.85/b is $4 per barrel more than the week before. A 9% shift like that would typically lead to a 10 cent shift at the pump, as a higher oil price raises the cost for producing gasoline.

"Gas prices unexpectedly jumped last week, getting well ahead of where wholesale prices would suggest they'd go," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Regardless, early-month pump price hikes are something we've seen many times during the past year. The moves are often caused by retailers that enter into new monthly gasoline delivery contracts. If the new contract is higher than the month before, the added expense is often front-loaded, when passed along to the consumer. In many cases during recent months, pump prices rose at the beginning of the month, but trickled down from there."

"The gasoline market is also following the lead set by oil prices," Jenkins continued. "Although, the fuel market is still worried about Covid-19 cases, there are other factors that are providing optimism in the market. Cold weather across the Northern Hemisphere has boosted demand for heating oil, an element refined from crude. The anticipated stimulus bill is expected to put more money in Americans' pockets, which could encourage spending. Globally, there's hope that continued production cuts from OPEC and its allies will create a fuel supply deficit through 2021."

The state average price for gasoline in Florida of $2.49 per gallon is 11 cents more than a week ago. Florida drivers are paying 20 cents per gallon more than this time last month, and 8 cents per gallon more than this time last year.

Best Seminole County Gas Prices

Lowest Gas Prices in Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Springs

Provided by GasBuddy.com

Regional Prices

Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.59), Port St. Lucie ($2.52), Fort Lauderdale ($2.51)

Least expensive metro markets – Panama City ($2.38), Tallahassee ($2.39), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.40)

Find Florida Gas Prices

Daily gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.aaa.com

State and metro averages can be found here

Gas Price Survey Methodology

AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.