JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gas prices around the First Coast are nearing the highest we've seen in a decade, up more than 50 cents in Jacksonville in the last week, according to GasBuddy.
But, if you're able to pay cash when you're filling up, you could spare yourself some of that dreaded pain at the pump. Click here for a list of the cheapest gas prices across the Jacksonville area.
In Jacksonville, the average price of gas has risen 50.6 cents per gallon, reaching $3.99 as of Monday, according to a GasBuddy survey of 625 stations across town. That's up 52.5 cents from one month ago and $1.32 higher than one year ago, GasBuddy says.
The cheapest gas in Jacksonville was $3.56 per gallon as of Sunday, with the most expensive at $4.49 per gallon.
Statewide, the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida skyrocketed 44 cents per gallon in the last five days, reaching an average of $3.97 on Sunday, according to AAA.
In Georgia, Brunswick is one of the most expensive places to buy gas right now, according to AAA. The average price for a gallon of gas in Brunswick is $3.94 as of Monday, AAA says. Statewide, the average in Georgia is 38 cents more than a week ago, reaching $3.88 a gallon.
"Unfortunately, more price hikes are on the way, and drivers may soon begin to see record highs at the pump," AAA Spokesman Mark Jenkins said.
AAA blames the increasing prices on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the resulting sanctions and regulations against Russia, which have limited its ability to sell oil on the global market. That's causing an intensifying global supply concern in what was already a very tight market due to the pandemic, AAA says.
The current record high price for regular unleaded gasoline in Florida is $4.08 per gallon, which was set on July 16, 2008, according to AAA.
See below for a list of fuel- and money-saving tips from AAA.
Money-Saving tips:
- Shop around for gas prices. Drivers can check area gas prices on the AAA Mobile App.
- Consider paying in cash vs. credit card. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
- Enroll in fuel savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon on each additional fill-up. Click here for more information.
Fuel-Saving tips:
- Maintain your vehicle to ensure optimal fuel economy. Find a trusted automotive facility at AAA.com/AutoRepair.
- Combine errands to limit driving time.
- Slow down. Fuel economy diminishes significantly at highway speeds above 50 mph.
- Drive conservatively and avoid aggressive driving. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.
- Remove excess weight in your vehicle.