Plan on driving this Thanksgiving? Expect to pay more to fill up your gas tank

ORLANDO, Fla. — If you plan on driving this Thanksgiving, you can expect to pay more to fill up your gas tank.

“It’s crazy. It seems like everything is going up in price,” said Jac Quash, a driver.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Quash was filling up his car at an Orlando gas station.

“Normally, it takes around like $30 bucks — now it’s closer to like $40 or $45,” he said.

“We’re definitely looking at the highest gas prices right now since 2013,” said Mark Jenkins, an American Automobile Association spokesperson.

READ: Rent hikes, inflation pushing people back to food banks

Despite the spike in gas prices, Jenkins said more than 2.5 million Floridians will take a road trip this holiday, which is up 9% from last year.

“Auto travel is typically the preferred mode of transportation,” Jenkins said. “It’s just easier to control your trip.”

READ: Pandemic-related PPE plastics flooding into waterways at alarming rate

AAA said crude oil prices remain the primary driver behind price changes at the pump.

“There’s just more demand than there is global crude oil supply,” Jenkins said. “Demand has come back much faster than many countries were prepared for and so there’s just not as much oil out there in the market.”

As of Tuesday, pump prices in Florida averaged $3.26 per gallon.

READ: Owner of Shantell’s in Sanford raffling off Harley to save restaurant

“In 2020, the average gas price at Thanksgiving was $2.03.”

AAA said the surge in gas prices won’t keep drivers off the roads this holiday season.

READ: Fundraising campaign launched to help Coalition for the Homeless as resources strain due to pandemic

“Considering that many folks stayed at home last year, they’re not gonna let gas prices stand in their way. I mean, so many people just want to reconnect with their family and friends, and this is the time to do it,” Jenkins said.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.