Drivers still feel pain at the pump despite drop in gas prices

Gas prices in Florida are trending downward, but many drivers are still feeling the financial strain at the pump. Dave Shultz, a driver, said the recent drop in prices has made a difference for him. “Everything helps, everything helps, especially if you drive every day, and you’re out on the road, and you’re burning fuel. It all adds up quickly,” Shultz said. Shultz noted that his recent fill-up cost less than $65, compared to the $75 to $80 he had been paying. “I can see the pain that everybody’s talking about. So, yeah, Tuesday’s fill-up was at less than $65. So, I think we’re going in the right direction,” he said. AAA reported that Florida’s average price for a gallon of regular gas was $4.24 a month ago. As of Tuesday, the average price had dropped to $3.77. Despite the decrease, some drivers, like Randall Slate, are still struggling with high costs. Slate, who is currently between homes, said the expense of driving remains overwhelming. “Outrageous. It’s been crazy driving this thing. Probably about 40 to 50 bucks a day almost,” Slate said. Slate expressed hope for further price reductions, especially following news that President Donald Trump reached a tentative deal to end the war in Iran. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins explained that even if the deal holds, it will take time for drivers to see lower prices at the pump. “There’s that old saying, ‘Gas prices rise like a rocket and fall like a feather.’ That’s because gas stations paid for their fuel up front, and the gas pumps right now have fuel that was likely purchased days or even weeks ago,” Jenkins said. Jenkins said retailers need to sell their current inventory before purchasing oil at lower prices and passing those savings on to consumers. “Oftentimes it could take days, maybe even weeks. But the good news, though, is that as we’re looking ahead toward Independence Day, we should see lower prices at the pump than what we’re paying right now, unless there’s an abrupt turn in the price of oil,” Jenkins said. Industry experts shared a similar message for flights. Airlines typically buy fuel in advance, adjust their schedules gradually and price tickets based heavily on demand, meaning lower oil and jet fuel prices can take weeks or months to get factored into the cost of commercial flights.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Gas prices in Florida are trending downward, but many drivers are still feeling the financial strain at the pump.

Dave Shultz, a driver, said the recent drop in prices has made a difference for him.

“Everything helps, everything helps, especially if you drive every day, and you’re out on the road, and you’re burning fuel. It all adds up quickly,” Shultz said.

Shultz noted that his recent fill-up cost less than $65, compared to the $75 to $80 he had been paying.

“I can see the pain that everybody’s talking about. So, yeah, Tuesday’s fill-up was at less than $65. So, I think we’re going in the right direction,” he said.

AAA reported that Florida’s average price for a gallon of regular gas was $4.24 a month ago. As of Tuesday, the average price had dropped to $3.77.

Despite the decrease, some drivers, like Randall Slate, are still struggling with high costs.

Slate, who is currently between homes, said the expense of driving remains overwhelming.

“Outrageous. It’s been crazy driving this thing. Probably about 40 to 50 bucks a day almost,” Slate said.

Slate expressed hope for further price reductions, especially following news that President Donald Trump reached a tentative deal to end the war in Iran.

AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins explained that even if the deal holds, it will take time for drivers to see lower prices at the pump.

“There’s that old saying, ‘Gas prices rise like a rocket and fall like a feather.’ That’s because gas stations paid for their fuel up front, and the gas pumps right now have fuel that was likely purchased days or even weeks ago,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said retailers need to sell their current inventory before purchasing oil at lower prices and passing those savings on to consumers.

“Oftentimes it could take days, maybe even weeks. But the good news, though, is that as we’re looking ahead toward Independence Day, we should see lower prices at the pump than what we’re paying right now, unless there’s an abrupt turn in the price of oil,” Jenkins said.

Industry experts shared a similar message for flights.

Airlines typically buy fuel in advance, adjust their schedules gradually and price tickets based heavily on demand, meaning lower oil and jet fuel prices can take weeks or months to get factored into the cost of commercial flights.