Gas prices have increased daily for the past 31 days straight. This is the longest rising price streak since this time last year, according to AAA.
The national average cost of a regular gallon of gas is up from $3.30 one month ago to $3.75, according to AAA. In Gainesville, the average price for the same gallon of gas is currently $3.88.
At 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, the BP located at 9700 NW 39th Ave. and I-75 was the local gas station with the highest price set at $4.09 for a gallon of regular gas, according to the GainesvilleGasPrices.com.
These price increases result from a number of factors, including a rise in crude oil prices, an increase in demand for oil in other countries and oil refinery closings, according to University of Florida economist Raymond Schaub.
“Generally around this time of year — February and particularly in March — refineries tend to switch from one type of production to another for the warmer summers,” he said.
Schaub said the switch will cause a decrease in the supply of gas and an increase in the prices in the short-term. A peak gas price for this season is unknown.
Cassandra Ganter wrote this story online.