Florida Gas Prices Spike, Volusia/Flagler Close to State Avg

The price of gas is back up in Florida, in one of the larger single-week increases the state has seen in the past year. AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins measured a 19-cent jump in price from Monday last week to a couple days thereafter, before it eased slightly over the next couple days.  “Despite declining through the weekend, gas prices are facing renewed upward pressure, after crude oil and gasoline futures shot up late last week,” Jenkins said in his report. “This could contribute to higher prices at the pump this week or next. How much higher remains to be seen.” The average cost of a gallon of gas in Florida is $3.26 as of Thursday, eleven cents higher than the national average. The price of gas is just one of several ways Florida is becoming a more expensive place to live; the state is 38th in affordability, 36th in cost of living, and 41st in housing affordability according to U.S. News & World Report. At the local level, residents in Volusia and Flagler counties are paying a bit more than the state average. The average gallon of gas in Volusia County is $3.27 according to AAA, while Flagler is at $3.28. Both Buc-ee’s and Sam’s Club on LPGA Blvd in Daytona Beach offer gas for $2.96 a gallon, some of the cheapest prices in the region.