Florida gas prices surge to new record high: When we could top $5 a gallon
ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida drivers won't be getting any relief at the gas pumps on Thursday as prices jumped to a new record high overnight. According to analysts, U.S. gas prices could soon top a wallet-crunching $5 a gallon soon.
AAA reports that the average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the state is now at $4.71, a 7-cent jump from Wednesday. One month ago, gas prices were at $4.18, which is a 53-cent difference.
In Central Florida, the county with the highest average for gas is Seminole County at $4.75 per gallon, which is even higher than the national average ($4.71), according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Orlando is around $4.74.
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On Tuesday, GasBuddy.com's Patrick De Haan tweeted that the national average could top $5 a gallon by June 17.
According to GasBuddy, as of Thursday morning, the three gas stations with the cheapest fuel in Central Florida are:
- Sam's Club, 755 N. US 27-441 in Lady Lake: $4.26
- Circle K, 7626 Iro Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee: $4.32
- Costco, 4696 Gardens Park Blvd. in Orlando: $4.34
The gas prices above are subject to change.
AAA has offered these tips for saving some money on gas:
- Maintain your vehicle to optimize fuel economy
- Combine errands to limit driving time
- Shop around for the best gas prices in your community
- Consider paying cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card
- Remove excess weight in your vehicle
- Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy
You can find the cheapest gas near you using FOX 35's Pump Patrol.