Florida gas prices jump 8 cents as expected record Thanksgiving travel period approaches

Gas prices in Florida are on the rise as national turkey day approaches, according to AAA — The Auto Club Group.

The state’s average rose 12 cents last week, jumping from $2.84 per gallon on Monday to $2.96 per gallon on Wednesday.

By Sunday, the price point fell to $2.92 per week, where it remained on Monday morning. That’s 6.5 cents more than a week ago, but still 5 cents less than last month and 21 cents cheaper than this time a year ago.

“Florida gas prices continue fluctuating on a weekly basis,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in a statement.

“Last week, the state average rebounded after dropping 13 cents in 9 days. Fortunately, pump prices remain on the low end of what drivers have paid this year.”

AAA said that, so far this year, Florida’s average gas prices have bounced between $2.84 and $3.32 per gallon.

“The autumn fuel-demand dip, global oil oversupply, and switch to winter-blend gasoline have contributed to the discount at the pump,” the motor club federation said. “The U.S. price of crude settled at $60.09/b on Friday. That’s $7 per barrel less than this time last year.”

The cheapest metropolitan market for Florida motorists is Pensacola, where gas is $2.73 per gallon, followed by the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach area ($2.74) and Panama City ($2.77).

The priciest area is West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, where a gallon of regular gas is $3.09, followed by Gainesville ($2.98) and Naples ($2.97).

The national average is $3.07, with Oklahoma’s $2.49-per-gallon average price driving the average down, while California’s $4.67-per-gallon price is dragging it up.

AAA projects that 4.65 million Floridians will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1. That would be a 2.6% increase over last year and a record for Thanksgiving travel in the Sunshine State.

An expected 4.26 million Floridians will travel by car, while 298,712 are projected to fly and 87,729 are anticipated to go by other modes like bus, train and cruise ship.

“Floridians are embracing the Thanksgiving spirit with record-breaking travel plans this year,” AAA Vice President of Travel Debbie Haas said in a statement. “Whether it’s driving across the state or flying across the country, people are making time to connect with loved ones. Even with concerns about flight cancellations, travelers are showing flexibility and resilience and relying most on driving.”

AAA noted that the number of drivers in Florida could rise if travelers decide to avoid potential flight disruptions caused by the recent government shutdown.

“With recent flight reductions and the potential for last-minute cancellations, we encourage air travelers to build flexibility into their plans,” Haas said. “Consider flying on less busy days, booking early morning departures when delays are less likely, and having a backup plan in case your flight is disrupted. Whether that means adjusting your return date or being ready to drive, a little preparation can go a long way in helping you navigate the unexpected.”

Nationally, 73 million Americans are expected to travel by car this Thanksgiving, representing almost 90% of all holiday travel. Another 6 million are expected to fly domestically, a 2% year-over-year increase.

Travel by bus, train and cruise is expected to increase 8.5% nationally to 2.5 million travelers.

Four of the top five holiday destinations, domestically, are in Florida: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa.