Florida Gas Prices Balloon Above 4 Dollars a Gallon

Gas prices in Florida are on the rise again. The state average cost of a gallon of regular gas is above $4 for the first time since June 1, according to data from AAA. As of Monday, Florida's average cost of gas is $4.13 per gallon compared to $4.31 at the national level. Both Volusia and Flagler counties are above the state average with their own gas prices. Volusia County's average gas price was listed as $4.16 by AAA as of Monday, with Flagler County at $4.19. Local motorists still have a few options to beat the average...by a little. The cheapest gas in Flagler County according to GasBuddy is the members-only BJ's Wholesale Club, which was listed at $4.06 on Sunday. The BJ's location in Port Orange was listed at $3.96 on Sunday, and the Daytona Beach Costco was reported to be $3.99 on Monday, while Buc-ee's on LPGA Blvd in Daytona Beach was listed at $3.99. According to AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins, the multiple ongoing crises in the Middle East are partly to blame for this latest surge in gas prices. "Tensions in the Middle East intensified last week, causing oil prices to surge and increasing the cost of producing gasoline," Jenkins said. "Florida drivers are now seeing those higher costs reflected at the pump. If oil prices remain elevated, motorists could face additional upward pressure on gas prices this week." Further fueling the price increases is crude oil increasing in price almost 20% over the last two weeks, moving back above $100 a barrel. Florida's own average gas price has risen over 20 cents in two weeks and is over one dollar higher than it was a year ago.