By Merrilee Gasser, The Center Square
In Summary:
Florida’s average price for regular gas rose to $2.86 per gallon this week, up about seven cents from last week as the year-end holiday travel period begins. While prices increased statewide, they remain below both last month’s average and last year’s holiday levels, with South Florida continuing to see the highest prices. AAA projects a record 122.4 million Americans will travel for the holidays, with nearly 90% expected to drive.
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Florida motorists are seeing higher pump prices this week as they hit the road for the holidays.
The state’s average price for regular gas rose to $2.862 on Monday compared to $2.790 last Monday, according to the American Automobile Association’s latest numbers.
Related: AAA offers tow-to-go during year-end holidays.
The increase remains below last month’s average of $3.108 per gallon of regular gas as well as the state average this time last year of $3.004, AAA reported.
South Florida maintains some of the highest averages in the state, with places like Palm Beach and Monroe seeing prices above $3 per gallon, AAA reported. North Florida tends to see averages on the lower end.
The national average price of gas continues to fall. This is the first time in four years it has fallen below $3 a gallon, AAA said. The national average dropped to $2.855 this week, the cheapest end-of-year gas prices seen since 2020.
Saturday began the year-end holiday travel period where AAA projects a record number of 122.4 million Americans will be hitting the road. That’s an increase of 2.2% over last year.
The number of people willing to travel for the holidays has been growing every year since dipping to 81.7 million people in 2020. Last year, December 1 saw more people traveling for the holidays than the the pre-COVID-19 119.3 million travelers in 2019.
Florida’s warm climate keeps it among the favored domestic destinations for holiday travelers. Orlando is the top city, followed by Fort Lauderdale and Miami, according to AAA.
AAA said it anticipates nearly 90% of holiday travelers this year to use vehicles, a 2% increase over last year.
The number of people planning to take domestic flights this holiday season grew by 2.3% compared to last year, AAA reported, even as air travel has become more expensive.
Fliers can expect to spend 7% more on a round-trip domestic flight, averaging around $900 a ticket, according to AAA.
Apopka Gas Prices
| Price |
Station |
Area |
|
$2.57
|
- Sam's Club
- 1500 South Orange Blossom Trail
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.73
|
- Mobil
- 1632 South Orange Blossom Trail
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.75
|
- Shell
- 2301 West Orange Blossom Trail
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.79
|
- Mobil
- 454 East Main Street
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.81
|
- Wawa
- 1609 South Orange Blossom Trail
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.81
|
- 7-11
- 1495 South Orange Blossom Trail
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.81
|
- Mobil
- 1439 West Orange Blossom Trail
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.82
|
- Mobil
- 2229 East Semoran Boulevard
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.85
|
- RaceTrac
- 1652 East Semoran Boulevard
|
|
Apopka |
|
$2.85
|
- Wawa
- 449 West Main Street
|
|
Apopka
|
Key Points:
-
Florida’s average gas price increased from $2.79 to $2.86 per gallon over the past week.
-
Current prices remain below last month’s average of $3.11 and last year’s $3.00 per gallon.
-
South Florida counties continue to see some of the highest gas prices, while North Florida remains lower.
-
The national average gas price fell below $3 per gallon for the first time in four years.
-
AAA expects 122.4 million Americans to travel for the holidays, with nearly 90% traveling by car.
