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FLORIDA - Florida drivers are experiencing relief at the pump as gas prices have reached their lowest point in five months.
AAA reports that the state’s average price for regular unleaded gasoline dropped 12 cents over the past week to $2.92 per gallon, the lowest daily average since May.
The decrease comes amid a national trend of falling fuel costs.
U.S. crude oil prices have declined 10 percent over the past two weeks, with West Texas Intermediate crude settling at $58.90 per barrel as of Friday.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration attributes the drop to a significant increase in domestic fuel inventories, which has pushed supply above demand.
Nationwide, the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.08. In the Tampa Bay area, GasBuddy reports an average of $2.87 per gallon, a 14-cent decrease from the previous week based on a survey of 1,260 local gas stations.
Prices vary across counties in the region: Hillsborough $2.91, Pinellas $2.92, Pasco $2.85, Polk $2.88, Sarasota $2.86, Manatee $2.82, Hernando $2.78, and Citrus $2.90.
AAA advises drivers to adopt strategies to reduce fuel use, including combining errands, driving conservatively, removing excess weight from vehicles, and shopping for the best local prices.
Paying with cash at some retailers may also help avoid higher per-gallon charges associated with credit card payments.
The decrease in gas prices provides immediate financial relief for Florida residents while reflecting broader trends in crude oil pricing and domestic fuel supply.