FLORIDA — AAA is expecting more than 4.5 million Floridians to travel this week for Thanksgiving, with 4.1 million hitting the roads.
For those taking a road trip, AAA said drivers should expect to pay more at the pump this year.
Florida’s average gas price rose to $3.12 on Sunday after seeing an average of $3.01 per gallon last week. According to AAA, prices of crude rose last week by 6% to $71.24 per barrel.
Last Thanksgiving, Florida gas prices averaged $3.03 per gallon, compared to $3.41 in 2022.
Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, said prices are likely not high enough to disrupt travel plans.
“An uptick in oil prices has restored upward pressure on pump prices as a record number of Americans prepare to hit the holiday road,” Jenkins said. “Oil prices increased last week on concerns that rising tensions in Ukraine could impact global crude supplies.”
The markets predicted to be the most expensive this weekend include:
- West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.28)
- Naples ($3.20)
- Homosassa Springs ($3.18)
The least expensive market predictions include:
- Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.75)
- Panama City ($2.77)
- Pensacola ($2.86)
For ways to save money on gas, AAA suggests:
- Combine errands to limit driving time.
- Shop around for the best gas prices in your community.
- Pay with cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
- Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds taken out of the vehicle improves fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
- Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.