News from AAA TAMPA — Florida gas prices are retreating. The state average declined 20 cents per gallon over the past 10 days. Sunday’s average price of $4.
03 per gallon is: • 17 cents less than a week ago • 32 cents more than a month ago • 91 cents more than a year ago While drivers are enjoying short-term relief at the pump, prices could remain volatile. Florida has experienced frequent price cycling for more than a year, with pump prices typically declining for about 10 days before jumping sharply early in the week. That pattern does not guarantee an increase this week, but it remains a possibility.
What’s Driving Prices Lower The recent drop in pump prices follows sharp declines in oil and gasoline markets late last week. On Friday, West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at $96. 57 per barrel, down about 13 percent, or $14 per barrel, from the previous week.
Prices fell sharply midweek amid early optimism surrounding a U. S. –Iran ceasefire, which briefly eased fears of major supply disruptions.
At the same time, RBOB gasoline futures tumbled more than 9 percent in a single session on April 8, pushing wholesale gasoline prices lower and allowing retail pump prices to follow. However, the relief proved short-lived. Crude oil prices rebounded Sunday night as markets reassessed risks in the Middle East.
As of press time, WTI was trading above $104 per barrel, supported by continued uncertainty around oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains largely restricted. Roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply typically moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and shipping traffic has yet to meaningfully return. That ongoing disruption continues to fuel volatility in oil and gasoline markets.
“This discount at the pump comes after price drops in both crude oil and gasoline futures last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “But it’s unclear how long this downward trend can last. Continued uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is already pushing oil prices higher, which could put upward pressure on gas prices again.
” Visit GasPrices. AAA. com to view state and local average gas prices, Regional Prices Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($4.
19), Gainesville ($4. 12), Fort Lauderdale ($4. 10), Least expensive metro markets – Panama City ($3.
86), Pensacola ($3. 86), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3. 89) How to Conserve Gasoline Combine errands to limit driving time.
Drive conservatively. Avoid aggressive acceleration and speeding. This reduces fuel economy.
Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds can lower fuel economy by 1-2 percent. Shop around for the best gas prices in your community by using the AAA mobile app.
Pay with cash. Some retailers charge more per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card. AAA Resources for Drivers Find the lowest gas prices in your area by using the free AAA mobile app.
Determine fuel costs for your trip by using the AAA's Gas Cost Calculator. Enroll in savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell's Fuel Rewards program can save 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon on each additional trip to the pump.