Florida gas prices drop slightly while supply fluctuates
- The average gallon of regular unleaded gas in Florida was $3.11 as of December 01, 2024.
- Okaloosa County had the lowest reported price in the state at $2.70 per gallon.
- Gas prices highlight regional disparities with South Florida charging more than northern parts of the state.
In Florida, the average price for a gallon of gas was reported at $3.11 on December 01, 2024. This marked a decrease of one cent compared to the previous week. The AAA auto club indicated that despite a spike in demand during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, prices in Florida remained slightly lower. In particular, the northern region displayed notably cheaper gas, with places like Okaloosa County reporting prices as low as $2.70 per gallon. This trend of lower prices was observed in 15 different counties across the northern regions of the state. Conversely, in South Florida, prices varied and were considerably higher. In Palm Beach County and Monroe County, which includes popular tourist stops in the Florida Keys, gas was $3.28 per gallon, while Miami-Dade County showed a price of $3.16. The stark contrast in prices across the state can be attributed to variations in local supply and demand, as well as regional taxes and costs associated with transportation. Despite the slight decrease, Florida gas prices remain six cents above the national average. Nationally, the average price for a gallon of gas has been fluctuating, although California and Hawaii continue to experience the highest gas prices in the continental United States, reaching $4.42 and $4.57 per gallon, respectively. Diesel prices in Florida averaged $3.49, unchanged from the previous week yet significantly lower, by 51 cents, compared to this time last year. The impacts of these fuel prices are multifaceted; approximately 4.5 million Floridians were anticipated to travel more than 50 miles within the state during the Thanksgiving period, which tends to heighten demand for gas. The continuing fluctuation in prices indicates a relationship between travel seasons, demand levels, and market adjustments as demonstrated by the overall pricing trends throughout the state. Such patterns are accompanied by historical data showing peaks in gas prices experienced earlier in the summer, underscoring ongoing concerns around inflation and energy costs for consumers.