State gas prices up another 9 cents
AAA sees increases through Labor Day
Only a few gas bargains could still be found across South Florida on Monday even as most retailers were pumping up prices.
Statewide, the price for a gallon of unleaded regular rose another 9 cents over the past week — a result of strong demand and declining crude oil supply, travel club AAA reported in its weekly gas price update.
“Gas prices leveled out over the weekend but should climb again this week,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “Gas prices should rise 5-10 cents this week.”
That’s because crude oil prices are climbing while more motorists are taking to the roads. West Texas Intermediate crude closed at $49.71 a barrel on Friday — highest in nine weeks — after Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced plans to cut production.
Summer driving season remains in high gear. Consumer demand for gas rose to its highest level since Memorial Day in the week beginning July 21, AAA said.
AAA last week projected price hikes would continue through Labor Day weekend, possibly reaching $2.47 before reversing course in autumn.
Florida’s average price was $2.29 a gallon on Monday compared to $2.20 a week ago. The average price in Broward and Miami-Dade counties was $2.30 — up 7 cents in Broward and 6 cents in Miami-Dade compared to the previous Monday. The average price jumped 8 cents in Palm Beach County — to $2.37.
Meanwhile, GasBuddy.com’s gas price heat map showed that while a majority of tricounty retailers had hiked prices well above $2.20, prices at a few stations still hadn’t caught up.
In Davie, a Marathon station at Davie Road and Southwest 39th Court was selling gas for $2.03 — likely an effect of the the three-day $1.99 promotional price offered following Thursday’s grand opening of a nearby Wawa store.
Two stations on Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point were still selling at $2.09: Exxon near Northeast 49th Street and 7-Eleven north of Northeast 52nd Street.
The lowest price available in Palm Beach County without a wholesale club membership was $2.15 at Citgo at Belvedere Road and Parker Avenue in West Palm Beach, according to GasBuddy.com.
Prospects for finding gas under $2.20 were much better in MiamiDade County. The lowest price in that county was a U-Gas station at Northeast Sixth Avenue, just south of Northeast 154th Street in Miami.