Gas prices have soared over the past week in South Florida and across the state.
In Florida, the average price per gallon is up more than 60 cents from a week ago. In the Miami area, prices jumped 56 cents a gallon.
And oil analysts expect prices to surge even higher later this week.
“In just a week, consumers have seen gasoline prices surge at one of the fastest rates in years after oil prices spiked following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With additional attacks across the Middle East over the weekend pushing oil above $100 per barrel for the first time in years, fuel markets are now rapidly recalibrating to the risk of prolonged disruption to global supply flows.”
Miami-area prices are 60 cents a gallon higher than a month ago and 47 cents higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy, a national fuel monitoring service that surveys nearly 1,700 stations in South Florida.
As the Mideast conflict involving Iraq and the United States continues, the average gas price across the state has rushed past $3 a gallon. North Florida remains the cheapest to pump in Florida. Naples and Palm Beach County are among the most expensive areas, according to AAA.
Here’s what to know if you’re commuting or traveling in Florida:
Take note of gas prices this week. Gas prices in South Florida
Miami-Dade: The average price: $3.46 on Monday, March 9, a 56-cent from last week, according to AAA.
Fort Lauderdale: $3.52, a 60-cent increase from last week.
West Palm Beach/Boca Raton: $3.62, a 57-cent increase from last week.
Florida price at the pump
Average: The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida on Monday, March 9, according to AAA, is $3.49, a 61-cent increase from last week.
Gas prices around Florida
Prices on Monday, March 9, according to AAA:
Bradenton/Sarasota: $3.53
Daytona Beach: $3.54
Fort Myers: $3.55
Gainesville: $3.54
Jacksonville: $3.50
Lakeland: $3.52
Naples: $3.58
Orlando: $3.55
Panama City: $3.11
Pensacola: $3.14
Port St. Lucie: $3.51
Space Coast: $3.52
Tallahassee: $3.15
Tampa/St. Pete: $3.54
Villages: $3.54
U.S. price at the pump
Average: The average price for a gallon of gas across the country on Monday, March 9, according to AAA, is $3.47, a 48-cent increase from last week.
What the experts are saying
▪ Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy: “Gasoline prices in many states could climb another 20 to 50 cents per gallon this week, with price-cycling markets potentially seeing increases as early as today. Diesel may rise even more sharply, with increases of 35 to 75 cents per gallon possible as global distillate markets react. While the situation remains highly fluid, consumers are already beginning to feel the impact as energy markets adjust to this sudden escalation.”
How to find cheap gas near you
There’s an app to help: The GasBuddy app was built to show motorists prices around them and a fuel tracker can update users on stations that have or don’t have fuel based on supply changes.