Florida motorists are seeing slightly higher prices at the pump this week, with the state’s average gas price rising by 8 cents per gallon compared to last Sunday, according to AAA – The Auto Club Group.
The state average for regular unleaded stood at $3.04 per gallon on Sunday, October 6, a figure that is 10 cents less than a month ago and 7 cents less than a year ago.
The increase comes despite downward trends in the global energy market. Last week, the U.S. price of crude oil fell by 7%, dropping from $65.72 to $60.88 per barrel, and gasoline futures also declined by 18 cents.
The fluctuating prices are part of a familiar cycle in the Florida fuel market. The state average initially saw a sharp 18-cent increase early in the past week but reversed course in the latter half, declining by 9 cents before the final weekly tally.
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“Since the fuel market has been stable, retailers are constantly adjusting prices to attract customers,” explained Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “But once those prices fall below a profitable margin, stations raise them again, and the cycle repeats.”
This retail-driven volatility has kept Florida’s average gas price consistently bouncing between $2.92/g and $3.23/g since early September 2024. The typical pattern involves a gradual decline over roughly 10 days, followed by a sharp rebound to previous levels.
Regionally, gas prices show a significant spread across the state:
- Most expensive metro markets: West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.22), Naples ($3.12), Gainesville ($3.10)
- Least expensive metro markets: Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.80), Pensacola ($2.80), Panama City ($2.85)
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