Florida gas prices hit 4-year highs as Iran conflict continues

Gas prices in Florida are at their highest level in four years as the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran continues to disrupt the global oil supply chain, sending crude prices soaring, according to AAA — The Auto Club Group.

On Monday, the Sunshine State average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.95 — a penny more than one week ago, $1.06 more per gallon than last month and 84 cents more than a year ago.

Oil prices are the main driver of gas prices, and oil prices have surged nearly 45%, AAA said, due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Disruptions to key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz — which carries a significant share of the world’s oil — have tightened supply and pushed crude prices higher, driving up what Americans pay at the pump.

Because gasoline prices are set on a global market, even strong U.S. production hasn’t shielded consumers from the increase. As a result, national averages have climbed to about $4 per gallon, up roughly $1 in March alone, with further volatility expected if the conflict continues.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. will destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure, power plants and Kharg Island if Tehran does not immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reach a deal, escalating tensions as the conflict enters its fifth week.

“The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran,” Trump said in a 7:26 a.m. post on his Truth Social platform.

“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched.’”

Since the conflict escalated earlier this month, Florida’s average per-gallon gas price of gas rose $1.07, from $2.88 at the beginning of March to $3.96 on Sunday.

That’s the highest daily average price Florida drivers have seen since July 2022. It now costs $16 more to fill a 15-gallon gas tank.

“Oil prices are doing most of the driving right now,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in a statement. “About half of what drivers pay at the pump comes down to the cost of crude oil. When oil prices spike this quickly and remain volatile, gas prices almost always follow.”

Continued volatility could keep prices unstable, according to AAA, which recommended that motorists combine errands to minimize trips, drive carefully and avoid aggressive acceleration, shop around for better gas prices, since pump prices can vary widely by station, and properly maintain their vehicles, including tire pressure and oil changes.

The most affordable metropolitan markets in Florida are the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola areas, where a gallon of regular Monday morning cost $3.66, followed by Panama City ($3.70).

Meanwhile, the highest prices are in the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area ($4.12), followed by Naples ($4.02) and Fort Lauderdale ($4.01).