AAA: Gas Prices Hit New High Before Thanksgiving

Daytona Beach, FL – The state’s gas prices hit a new high for 2021 as nearly 3 million Floridians prepare to hit the road for Thanksgiving. The latest report from AAA says Florida drivers are going to find the most expensive Thanksgiving gas prices in 8 years. This comes after prices jumped 10 cents last week, ending at an average of  $3.36 per gallon—the highest daily average since September 2014. Per AAA, the average fill-up will cost $50 for a 15-gallon tank, which is $13 more than what Thanksgiving drivers paid in 2019 before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. “High gas prices are not something drivers will be thankful for this Thanksgiving,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA. “The good news is gas prices should gradually decline through the holiday. Crude oil and gasoline futures dropped last week, and that should restore some downward pressure on prices at the pump.” The price for US crude oil also dropped 6 percent last week, falling from $80.79 to $76.10 per barrel. That’s also the lowest daily settlement since October 1, back when the average price of gas in Florida was $3.05 a gallon. Locally, Volusia County drivers are seeing an average of $3.34 per gallon, two cents lower than the state average. Flagler County drivers, meanwhile, are seeing an average price closer to $3.35 per gallon. The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area was found to have the highest average price for gas in the state with $3.49 per gallon, while Crestview-Fort Walton Beach has the lowest average price with $3.26 a gallon. The national average is around $3.41.