OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Florida gas prices have broken out of the range they’ve held within for the past several months.
The state’s average gas price has mostly stayed between $2.99 and $3.15 since early September. However, in the past two weeks, the average price exceeded $3.20 per gallon.
Sunday’s state average was $3.22 per gallon, 3 cents higher than a week ago, 11 cents more than a month ago, and 5 cents higher than this time last year.
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The increase is largely due to rising oil prices. On January 10, the price of U.S. crude oil reached a 3-month high of $76.57 per barrel, marking a 4% increase from the previous week. The price rose another 2% the week of January 17. However, last week, U.S. crude dropped back to $74.66 per barrel, a 4% decrease from the previous week.
“Drivers will likely continue to see gas prices fluctuate through the week, but there doesn’t currently appear to be any significant measure of relief on the way as of now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group.
As of the latest reports, the lowest gas price in Ocala was noted by GasBuddy at the Circle K located at 5182 E. Silver Springs Blvd. at $3.07 per gallon.