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AAA said the average pump price dropped by about a dime over the past week and is expected to continue to decline. PHOTO/METROMILE
News Service of Florida
Gasoline prices have dropped as Florida motorists hit the road for one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
More than 2.9 million Floridians are forecast to drive or fly more than 50 miles for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the AAA auto club. AAA said the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline Monday was $3.46. That price was even with the all-time Florida Thanksgiving high in 2013 and 10 cents a gallon higher than last year.
But, AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said the average pump price dropped by about a dime over the past week and is expected to continue to decline.
“Prices at the pump are likely to drop through the holiday weekend. Gas prices could ultimately fall 20 to 30 cents per gallon,” Jenkins said in a statement Monday. “The downturn is being driven by strong refinery output, which led to a big gain in gasoline supplies.”
Meanwhile, the number of people planning to travel more than 50 miles for the holiday is higher than in 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to AAA.
AAA said Orlando is the top Thanksgiving travel destination nationally, based on hotel bookings, followed by Anaheim, Calif., Las Vegas, New York City and Atlanta.
Of the Floridians expected to travel more than 50 miles, about 2.7 million will drive.
Florida’s average gas price hit an all-time high of $4.89 on June 13 but steadily declined through the summer. The price temporarily dipped again in October, when the state held a tax “holiday” that suspended gas-tax collections.
Fuel-savings app GasBuddy said that while the number of Americans traveling during the holiday will be up nearly 20 percent from 2021, just over 20 percent won’t take to the roads because of high fuel prices.
“Higher gas prices don’t seem to be enough to stop people from traveling to be with family and friends,” Jenkins said last week. “We’ve found that when gas prices are high, travelers look to offset the added cost by staying in a less expensive hotel or spending less on shopping and dining out.”
Besides gas prices, airfares are up 22 percent and hotel rooms are up 17 percent. GasBuddy predicts the national average to stand at $3.68 a gallon on Thanksgiving Day.
FDOT, FHP Urge Safety During Thanksgiving Travel: With so many people on the road for the holiday weekend, it’s vital that drivers exercise care while behind the wheel.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) urge drivers to make sure their vehicle is ready for the trip, buckle up, and not drive impaired — including not driving while drowsy. Holiday travelers can also check roadway conditions and view live streaming traffic cameras on FL511.com.
Road Rangers are FDOT’s safety/service patrol who provide free, limited roadside assistance, including changing a tire or assisting with minor mechanical repairs. Road Rangers also protect motorists and crash scenes by alerting oncoming drivers of the incident. Motorists on I-4, I-75, I-95 and Central Florida’s toll roads can request a Road Ranger’s assistance by calling *FHP (*347). Road Rangers are available year round, and FDOT will have increased patrols during the busy holiday week.
