In Florida, the cost of gasoline has increased by 19 cents per gallon over the past week due to the increased number of drivers traveling during the summer season, combined with rising oil prices and the hot weather.
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The AAA auto club on Monday reported that the mean cost of one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has increased from $3.47 to $3.66 over the past week.
Pump prices hit an average of $3.67 a gallon Friday and Saturday, the highest price since late April.
“Oil prices are the primary culprit behind the recent jump at the pump,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a prepared statement. “The U.S. price of oil rose 15 percent through the past five weeks, which raised the cost of producing gasoline.”
Oil prices jumped $10 a barrel since the start of the month to just over $80 on Friday, according to AAA.
“According to our partners at the Oil Price Information Service, prices are being sent higher by strong economic data, which raises expectations for fuel demand,” AAA said in a news release. “Additionally, record-breaking heat has led to some refinery outages along the Gulf Coast, leading to reductions in fuel output.”
Nationally, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded stood at $3.76 on Monday, up from $3.60 a week earlier.
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The regions of Southeast Florida and Southwest Florida had the highest fuel price averages, while the Panhandle had the lowest.
According to Patrick De Haan, who leads petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, a fuel-savings app, the demand for fuel during summer might decrease in anticipation of students going back to school.
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Read More: Florida gas prices jump 19 cents amid rising oil prices, hot weather – Action