Local

Pump patrol: Gas prices trickle downward after midweek spike in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — The average price for a gallon of gas jumped another 17 cents in Florida last week, hitting a two-month high of $3.58 on Thursday, AAA reported.

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

Motorists have seen slightly better news in the Sunshine State since then, with a 2-cent drop happening over the weekend.

READ: Driver in critical condition after car crashes into pond in Orange County

On Monday, the state average for a gallon of regular unleaded held steady at $3.56.

While trending slightly downward over the past few days, the 43 additional cents that Floridians are now paying, compared to just one month ago, adds up to more than just pocket change at the service station.

A quick comparison shows that at the end of the year, a full fill-up for an average-sized car would have cost roughly $47.

On Monday, the cost to fill that same tank jumped to more than $53.

READ: Annie Wersching, actress in ‘24,’ ‘Bosch,’ dead at 45

“Florida gas prices surged 32 cents per gallon during the past two weeks,” AAA’s Mark Jenkins said.

“It’s unusual to see big gains like this in January, but global fundamentals have kept upward pressure on prices at the pump. Oil investors are bullish that global fuel demand will rise now that China, the world’s largest oil importer, is reopening its economy.”

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of gas was about 6 cents lower than in Florida on Monday, settling at $3.50, the auto giant said.

READ: Lisa Loring, original Wednesday Addams actress, dead at 64

To check gas prices in your neighborhood, click here.

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.