Refinery Issues Push Gas Prices Higher
Boca Raton, FL — Gas prices are trending lower after an abrupt jump at the pump last week. Gas prices in Florida are 8 cents higher than a week ago. The state average of $2.80 is 12 cents less than this year’s high, yet remains 66 cents more than this time last year.
| Average Summer Gas Prices | |||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Today | |
| National | $3.57 | $2.71 | $2.23 | $2.31 | $2.88 |
| Florida | $3.50 | $2.58 | $2.19 | $2.25 | $2.80 |
| Georgia | $3.48 | $2.57 | $2.11 | $2.18 | $2.73 |
| Tennessee | $3.35 | $2.45 | $2.03 | $2.08 | $2.63 |
Click here to view AAA’s state and metro gas price averages
- The most expensive gas price averages in Florida are in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.89), Miami ($2.84), and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.84)
- The least expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Punta Gorda ($2.75), Tallahassee ($2.76), and Orlando ($2.77)
Florida gas prices quickly jumped Wednesday and Thursday, after reports surfaced of seven gulf coast refineries dealing with various operational issues. Some of the issues have already been resolved, while others could take weeks. For instance, the Motiva refinery – the largest in the country – suffered a mechanical outage to one of their catalytic crackers. This is the most important component for converting oil to other fuels. The outage will likely cause reduced output from the plant, and may not be resolved until August. Oil and energy companies may also need to invest in a more regular oil reclamation service to properly maintain their processing facilities.
“Fortunately, fuel prices plunged on the stock market last week, which created adverse pressure to the rising prices caused by refinery issues,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This sort of volatility at the pump is common during the summer driving season. The three most common reasons for increases during the summer are refinery outages, geopolitical tension, and hurricanes.”
On Wednesday, oil prices plummeted nearly $4 and gasoline futures fell 10 cents. Some of those losses were recovered by Friday with gasoline finishing even with the week before, yet oil remains $2.79 lower. The price for a barrel of WTI settled at $71.01 on the NYMEX; $3.14 less than this year’s high, set two weeks before. The slump in futures prices were the result of growing concerns of an international trade war, added strength in the U.S. dollar, lower gasoline demand numbers, and news that Libya would resume oil exports.
Gas Price Tools
- GasPrices.AAA.com – Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages
- AAA Mobile app – Free app that compares gas prices near you
- Gas Cost Calculator – Determine how much gasoline will cost on your next road trip
CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES
 |
Sunday | Saturday | Week Ago | Month Ago | One Year Ago | Highest Price on Record |
| National | $2.879 | $2.882 | $2.865 | $2.904 | $2.254 | $4.114 (7/17/2008) |
| Florida | $2.801 | $2.808 | $2.719 | $2.768 | $2.135 | $4.079 (7/17/2008) |
| Georgia | $2.727 | $2.729 | $2.721 | $2.760 | $2.146 | $4.164 (9/15/2008) |
| Tennessee | $2.629 | $2.630 | $2.610 | $2.652 | $2.024 | $4.118 (9/15/2008) |
| Click here to view current gasoline price averages | ||||||
Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.
