The holidays are over and Spring Break is still two months away, so since we're not going anywhere and using a ton of gas, prices at the pump have to come down, right?
The answer for that from AAA The Auto Club is .... ummmm, no.
While Florida gas prices have mostly hovered between $2.99 and $3.15 since early September, AAA said during the past two weeks, the state average exceeded $3.20 per gallon.
Sunday's state average of $3.22 per gallon is 3 cents per gallon more than a week ago, 11 cents more than a month ago, and 5 cents more than this time last year. Monday morning, Osceola County ($3.24) hovered right around that mark, and prices here are up 7 cents per gallon from a week ago and just over a dime from a month ago.
According to AAA, oil prices the the main culprit of the jump at the pump. The price of U.S. crude rose to a 3-month high on Jan. 10 at $76.57 — a 4% increase from the week before. Crude oil increased another 2% the week of Jan. 17. However, last week, U.S. crude took a back step, settling at $74.66 per barrel.
"Drivers will likely continue to see gas prices fluctuate through the week, but there doesn't currently appear to be any significant measure of relief on the way as of now," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group.
Happy Groundhog Day next week!
