AAA: Gas Prices Slipping, And Could Slip Even Further

Daytona Beach, FL – A drop in crude oil prices has brought Florida’s gas prices down, and AAA expects that to continue throughout the week; as long as prices don’t rebound. Sunday’s (Dec. 5) state average of $3.30 came as crude oil prices plummeted after Thanksgiving, on concerns about how the omicron variant of the coronavirus could impact global fuel demand. Per AAA, The price of US crude dropped 13 percent after the holiday and remained down all last week.  Friday’s (Dec 4) closing price of $66.26 per barrel is also 15 percent below the price on the day before Thanksgiving, and 21 percent below the 2021 high of $84.15 a barrel, which was recorded nearly a month ago. AAA Spokesperson Mark Jenkins believes that if the price drops in oil continue, the state could potentially see gas prices below $3 again. “But it won’t happen overnight,” said Jenkins. “Florida pump prices are falling at a rate of 1-cent a day. Unless that rate accelerates, it could take a few more weeks before pump prices fully adjust.” Locally, the average price for unleaded gas in Volusia County dropped from $3.33 to $3.29, bringing the county a penny below the state’s average. Flagler, meanwhile, is now looking at an average price of about $3.32 a gallon, a few cents higher than Volusia’s average. Across the state, the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area has the highest prices for gas yet again, with an average price of $3.48 reported in the area. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach was said to have the lowest average in the state with $3.17. The national average is hovering around $3.36 a gallon.