Gasoline prices in Florida took a breather, dropping seven cents a gallon for the week ending February 5, 2023. File photo.
After hitting the pockets of Florida drivers, gas prices took a breather, dipping seven cents a gallon last week and the state average stood at $3.50 a gallon on Sunday.
That means eight cents below the maximum registered so far this year of $3.58, according to the weekly report of the AAA – The Auto Club Group released this Monday.
And the good news is that the decline is forecast to continue through this week.
“Gas station prices are falling again after a sharp decline in the oil and gasoline futures markets,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group.
He specified that these prices are 10% lower than two weeks ago, while wholesale gasoline prices have fallen almost 40 cents.
“Unless the market suddenly recovers, drivers could see gas prices drop another 5-15 cents this week,” he forecast.
The drop is due to a combination of domestic and global factors.
The European Union agreed last Friday to impose a price cap of $100 a barrel on Russian oil. In addition, there is speculation that the strong January jobs report could prompt the Federal Reserve to approve additional interest rate hikes, potentially reducing demand for fuel, Jenkins explained.
regional prices
▪ Most expensive metropolitan markets: West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.70), Naples ($3.59), Fort Lauderdale ($3.57).
▪ Less expensive metropolitan markets: Panama City ($3.26), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3.25), Pensacola ($3.33).
How to save gasoline?
▪ Combine errands to limit driving time.
▪ Find the best gas prices in your community.
▪ Consider paying cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon to customers who pay with a credit card. ▪ Remove excess weight from your vehicle.
▪ Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduce fuel economy.
▪ Enroll in savings programs. AAA members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 5 cents per gallon when they fuel up at Shell. Click here for more information.
Other Driver Resources
Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained to optimize your fuel economy. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified repair facility.
Find the lowest gas prices in your area using a free mobile app.
Determine anticipated fuel costs for your trip using a gasoline cost calculator.
This story was originally published on February 6, 2023 11:16 a.m.
Journalist and editor specializing in Latin America, judicial, business and local issues related to the Latin American community. Much of her career was spent in international news agencies. Her investigative work “Emigrating to Death: Murdered Venezuelans in Latin America” received the 2019 FSNE and SPJ Sunshine State awards.
Source: El Nuevo Herald
