Hurricane Idalia’s race through North Florida’s rural Big Bend region last week had little impact on gasoline prices in the state.
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded Tuesday in Florida was $3.68, down 2 cents from a week earlier, according to the AAA auto club. “Hurricane Idalia may cause regional price jumps due to station damage, flooded roads, and power outages, but as in past years, these things are usually fixed in a few weeks,” AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said in a prepared statement.
The West Palm Beach, Naples and Gainesville metro areas had among the state’s highest average prices, while the Panhandle had the lowest prices.
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The statewide average price was 16 cents a gallon less than a month ago, but 16 cents more than a year ago. Florida’s average price Tuesday was 13 cents lower than the national average. According to AAA, summer gasoline demand did not match past years.
“Where pump prices go from here is unclear, because oil and gasoline futures prices are moving in opposite directions,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a statement.
Gasoline futures dropped nearly 20 cents last week, as summer-blend gasoline left the market and fuel demand is expected to move lower.
Meanwhile, crude oil hit a 2023 high on the U.S. market, at $85.55 per barrel on news that Saudi Arabia is expected to extend a production cut through October.
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