By Miami Herald Archives
The price of gas is much higher in South Florida to start the week as students and workers get back to routine after spring break. The increase follows a big drop in prices last week. In Miami, the average is $3.04 a gallon, more than a 16-cent increase from a week ago. South Florida gas prices are still 3 cents lower than a month ago and nearly 58 cents lower than a year ago. The average Florida price also is up since last week. Several North Florida areas are averaging less than $3 a gallon as the region remains the cheapest to get gas in the state, in some places about 20 cents cents less per gallon than South Florida. Naples and Palm Beach County are among the most expensive areas for gas.
Here’s what to know if you’re commuting or traveling in Florida:
Gas prices in South Florida
▪ Miami-Dade: The average price: $3.04 on Monday, March 31, up 16.3 cents from last week, according to GasBuddy’s survey of nearly 1,700 stations in the region. Cheapest gas in the Miami area was $2.57 and the most expensive $3.89.
▪ Fort Lauderdale: $3.09, according to AAA.
▪ West Palm Beach/Boca Raton: $3.25, according to AAA.
Florida price at the pump
Average: The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida on Monday, March 31, according to AAA, was $3.09.
Gas prices around Florida
Monday prices, according to AAA:
Bradenton/Sarasota: $3.06
Daytona Beach: $3.09
Fort Myers: $3.07
Gainesville: $3.19
Jacksonville: $3.05
Lakeland: $3.14
Naples: $3.17
Orlando: $3.11
Panama City: $2.89
Pensacola: $2.95
Port St. Lucie: $3.12
Space Coast: $3.08
Tallahassee: $2.97
Tampa/St. Pete: $3.13
Villages: $3.07
U.S. price at the pump
Average: The average price for a gallon of gas across the country on Monday, March 31, according to AAA, was $3.16.
What the experts are saying
▪ Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy: “We’ve seen the national average inch up for the second straight week, but with renewed refinery issues on the West Coast, gas prices there are likely to jump 10-35 cents per gallon over the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, motorists in the Northeast should consider filling up soon, as the final step in the transition to summer gasoline is just a couple of weeks away— and with it, a likely increase in prices. As we head into April, Americans should expect gas prices to rise, with a peak that could occur in mid-to-late April. While average prices remain well below last year’s levels, we’ll likely begin to catch up, with prices expected to increase in most— if not all—states over the next few weeks. Continued uncertainty around whether tariffs will be implemented on April 2 could also impact pump prices, setting the stage for a volatile period for American drivers.”
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.
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article303118559.html#storylink=cpy
