Florida motorists are shaking their heads after a turbulent week at the gas pump that saw prices mimic a theme park thrill ride.
According to fresh data from AAA, the state average for a gallon of regular unleaded rose sharply by 9 cents in the middle of last week, peaking at $2.94 on Wednesday. However, the surge didn’t stick, as prices trickled back down by six cents to land at a Sunday average of $2.88.
When the dust settled, the net change for the week was a modest two-cent increase. Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group, noted that this “price cycling” is a standard pattern for the region.
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While the sudden midweek jumps can be frustrating for commuters, Jenkins pointed out that overall costs remain lower than they were during the same period in 2025. In fact, Floridians are currently paying about 17 cents less per gallon than they were this time last year.
The pain at the pump varies significantly depending on where you live in the state. Drivers in the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area are seeing the highest costs, with averages sitting around $3.03. Naples and Gainesville aren’t far behind at $2.96 and $2.94, respectively.
On the flip side, those living in the Panhandle are catching a break. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach reported the state’s lowest average at $2.66, followed closely by Panama City at $2.67 and Pensacola at $2.75.
To help soften the blow of these weekly fluctuations, experts suggest a few common-sense tactics. Simple habits like combining errands to reduce total drive time or cleaning out the trunk can make a difference; every extra 100 pounds in a car can sap fuel economy by up to two percent.
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AAA also recommends avoiding aggressive starts and stops, which guzzle gas unnecessarily. Some stations also offer a lower rate for those paying with cash rather than credit cards, and many drivers are turning to mobile apps or rewards programs like Shell’s Fuel Rewards to shave a few more cents off the total.
Nationally, the average sits at $2.93, placing Florida’s $2.88 average slightly below the countrywide trend. For now, the “drift” back down continues, though history suggests another cycle is always just around the corner.
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