TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Floridians are getting a break at the gas pump as prices continue sliding after reaching three-year highs because of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Prices surged when Harvey struck refineries along America's Gulf Coast and remained elevated as demand spiked in the southeastern U.S. following Hurricane Irma.
Supply and demand levels are returning to normal.
"If it weren't for the recent hurricanes, gas prices would be about 25 cents lower," said Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA - The Auto Club Group. "... It could take a few weeks before they reach equilibrium.
Jenkins said gas prices in the southeastern U.S. should drop another 5 - 10 cents this week.
The average price in Florida has declined for the last 10 consecutive days for a total of 5 cents since peaking at $2.73 on September 14.
Gas prices in Florida averaged $2.67 Sunday. The state average is 4 cents less than this time last week. Florida motorists are paying 52 cents more for a gallon of gasoline as compared to this time last year.
The most expensive gas price averages in Florida are in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.76), Miami ($2.73) and Fort Lauderdale ($2.71).
The least expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Pensacola ($2.60), Tallahassee ($2.60) and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater ($2.63)
MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
Copyright 2017 WTXL via Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
