News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Florida gas prices will continue to rise, says AAA spokesman

Florida's gas prices, currently gauged at $3.57, average about 5 cents more than the national level, marked at $3.52, and a AAA spokesman said the prices could continue to rise.

AAA's Mark Jenkins said the jump in prices this past week can be attributed to the continually rising oil prices.

"When oil prices go up, so does gas," he said.

Jenkins said the rise in prices is also from refineries beginning to switch to a more expensive "summer blend," which happens every year around mid-February to early March.

"The third factor here is increased economic optimism happening both domestically and abroad," he said.

Last year, gas prices rose 5 cents a week, and maxed at $3.94 in mid-April. Prices reached their lowest point in July at $3.20, Jenkins said.

Based on last year's numbers, Jenkins said he expects prices to inch up over the next couple of months.

"You can certainly expect to see gas prices fluctuate," he said. "It will take a little bit of time before these prices actually settle down."

Jenkins said gas prices could rise another 3 to 5 cents in the immediate future.

Alexa Volland wrote this story online.

Alexa is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
Erik is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.