AAA: Gas prices 53 cents less than this time last year, could continue to decrease

Florida gasoline prices jumped by seven cents last week, but any gains were quickly erased by the weekend, with the state average for regular down to $3.31 per gallon on Sunday.

According to the AAA-The Auto Club Group's weekly gas price briefing, the average is two cents less than last week, 12 cents less than a month ago and 53 cents less than this time last year. The state average is also 33 cents below this year's high of $3.64 per gallon.

"Over the weekend, Florida gasoline hit the lowest average price in two months," said Mark Jenkins, group spokesperson. "The price of crude (oil) continues to influence prices at the pump."

He added: "Oil prices increased early last week on renewed optimism about the U.S. economy, after the July domestic consumer spending report was better than analysts expected. By the end of the week, however, weak economic data from China caused oil prices to soften."

The U.S. price of crude oil initially jumped to $80 a barrel but finished the week flat with Friday's closing price coming out to $76.65 per barrel – 19 cents less than the week before, according to the briefing.

What are gas prices in Florida?

∎ Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.49), Gainesville ($3.39), Naples ($3.38).

∎ Least expensive metro markets – Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($3.13), Panama City ($3.14), Pensacola ($3.15).

∎ Capital region market – Tallahassee ($3.36).

∎ State and metro averages can be found here .

∎ Daily gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.AAA.com .

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: AAA: Gas prices 53 cents less than this time last year, could continue to decrease