After weeks of prices slowly trickling down at the pump, gas prices increased in Florida for the first time in 10 weeks, AAA reported Monday.
The state average last week for regular unleaded fuel increased seven cents per gallon, reaching $3.61 on Sunday.
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The increase comes after gas prices had fallen $1.36 in the previous 10 weeks, amounting to about a $20 difference for a full tank of gas.
According to AAA, the 10-week streak began in mid-June when the state average fell from its all-time high of $4.89 per gallon to $3.53 per gallon.
“Gas prices are rising in response to a recent oil price hike, due to reports that Saudi Arabia could lower fuel output in (an) effort to raise prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “The U.S. price of oil rose a total of 5% over the course of the past three weeks. This is not a significant oil price hike, so gas prices may not go much higher, but that could change if there are additional gains in the fuel market this week. As we move into peak hurricane season, a major storm could contribute to rising prices, if it threatens refineries along the Texas, Louisiana or Mississippi coast lines.”
The most expensive metro markets are currently West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.79), Tallahassee ($3.67) and Miami ($3.65).
The least expensive metro markets are Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3.39), Pensacola ($3.42) and Panama City ($3.46).