CENTRAL FLORIDA — Gas prices are climbing, and the increase is hitting more than just drivers at the pump.
According to AAA, the national average jumped more than 10 cents from last week, reaching $4.47 on Wednesday.
Florida’s average is lower at $4.29, also up about 10 cents from a week ago.
AAA said the price increases will likely be reflected in Thursday’s average as more retailers update their prices.
The increase is in response to higher oil prices from a week ago, which AAA said is a normal delay when it comes to changes in gas prices.
For drivers like Cameron Parker, the higher prices are already making an impact.
“It hurts me real, real bad because I have to take the highway a lot and drive a lot of highway miles,” Parker said.
The higher gas prices are also affecting local businesses that rely on fuel.
David Wallace, owner of Country Cuts, a local lawn-mowing company, said he is trying not to pass the rising costs on to his customers. But continued increases are making that more difficult.
“It takes $200 to fill my truck up now and about $100 a week on my mowers. So I’m looking at $300 a week just in fuel,” Wallace said.
Wallace said he hopes the increase is temporary, but if prices remain high, he may eventually have to discuss the added costs with his customers.
“I try to be loyal to my customers and I know this hopefully this is just a short time that this is happening and then go back to normal, but eventually if it stays like this I’m going to have to talk to my clients for sure,” Wallace said.
AAA said it does not expect the price increase to last long. Oil prices have gone down this week, which could translate to lower gas prices at the pump next week.
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