Florida gas prices rose 5 cents over the past week as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher and renewed concerns about global fuel supplies.
The statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline stood at $3.82 per gallon Sunday, according to AAA. That was 5 cents more than a week earlier, 8 cents less than a month ago and 86 cents higher than the same time last year.
Prices fell early last week before increasing 13 cents per gallon. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, could keep fuel prices volatile in the coming weeks.
U.S. crude oil prices climbed nearly $2.50 per barrel in early trading, a gain of about 3 percent from Friday’s closing price of $71.41 per barrel. Oil prices often rise when markets anticipate potential disruptions to global supplies.
Florida’s most expensive metro markets were West Palm Beach-Boca Raton at $3.98 per gallon, Naples at $3.91 and Fort Lauderdale at $3.88.
The least expensive markets were Pensacola at $3.57, Panama City at $3.58 and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach at $3.63.
The national average stood at about $3.88 per gallon Sunday, slightly above Florida’s statewide average.
