State average now $3.12

ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’re planning to travel behind the wheel before the holidays, make sure to check for gas prices.

On Sunday, Florida’s average was $2.86 a gallon and just four days later, that jumped over 20 cents to $3.07. The national average is now at $3.12.

Sunday’s state average was the lowest daily average price since June 2021. Gas prices had dropped 31 cents in 17 days before they jumped back up to over $3 a gallon.

According to AAA, a rise in oil prices is being blamed for the increase.

“Oil prices have shot up back above $70 a barrel in response to crude oil tanker ships being targeted in the Red Sea,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “That’s creating a lot of concerns in the oil market about global supply and demand.”

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Earlier this month, AAA predicted a record 6.6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more from home for the holidays.

Ways to save on gasoline:

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.

AAA resources for drivers:

Enroll in savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon each additional trip to the pump. Click here for more information.

Get a tune-up. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained to optimize its fuel economy. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified repair shop.

Find the lowest gas prices in your area by using the free AAA mobile app.

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About the Authors:

Ezzy Castro is a multimedia journalist on News 6's morning team who has a passion for telling the stories of the people in the Central Florida community. Ezzy worked at WFOR CBS4 in South Florida and KBMT in Beaumont, Texas, where she covered Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Being from Miami, Ezzy loves Cuban coffee and croquetas!

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She graduated from UCF and returned to Central Florida after working in Colorado.