ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida gas prices have increased about 29 cents in the last 20 days, according to AAA.
A gas station manager said a call came in last week to raise the price 20 cents, and forecasters said the hike could reach 30 to 50 cents by Memorial Day weekend.
AAA said an increased need and a reduced supply forced the jump. Historically, two-thirds of the price of gas is influenced by the price of crude oil, which has gone up 28 percent in the last month.
The wholesale price for a gallon of regular unleaded last week was 20 percent higher than the week before. When it's more expensive for gas stations, it becomes more expensive for drivers.
"My car used to take like $25 and now it's taking like $30 and I just got a little Honda, so (yes), that's a lot of money," driver Pashada Cutter said.
The weekly average price for a barrel of oil is the highest it's been since the first week in December, according to AAA stats.
Cox Media Group
