Florida gas prices pulled back a bit the end of last week after setting another 2023 high early in the week, AAA reported in its weekly release Monday.
The state average jumped 11 cents per gallon, reaching a new 2023 high of $3.85 per gallon on Thursday. The state average declined 4 cents over the past four days. Sunday's state average was $3.82 per gallon. That's 27 cents per gallon more than what drivers paid this time last year.
Drivers in Orange, Osceola and Polk counties are paying within a penny of each other in the $3.82. But that figure was $3.70 a week ago, $3.46 a month ago and $3.44 a year ago.
"The volatility in prices at the pump will likely continue throughout the next couple of months, now that the tropics are beginning to heat up," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Pump prices typically increase if a tropical system threatens refineries along the Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi coastlines. These refineries are the primary supplier of gasoline for Florida. The extent of the price hike varies, depending on the severity of the storm and extent of any damages sustained by the refineries or supply chain."
And, on cue, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a potential system that could become a tropical depression or storm by Wednesday nearing the Texas coast.
And, looking ahead to the Labor Day weekend in two weeks, gas will be more expensive than the 2022 holiday. Last year, drivers paid $3.52 per gallon on Labor Day. Gas prices spiked this summer because of tight supply and the high cost of oil. But. it's not stopping Americans from booking travel plans. AAA says it shows booking data for flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises shows Labor Day weekend travel is up over last year: domestic bookings are up 4% and international bookings are up 44%.
“Labor Day weekend will be the big sendoff to what has been an extremely busy summer travel season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group.
