JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If you’ve been on the road or stopped for gas lately, you may have noticed prices at the pump are climbing once again.
Local drivers say they’re feeling the pinch. AAA warns that the latest increase is tied directly to higher crude oil costs and continued uncertainty in the global oil market as the conflict overseas continues.
Overnight, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Duval County jumped 21 cents, bringing the Jacksonville average to $4.09 per gallon.
However, the reality on the street is even harsher. Drivers traveling down Beach Boulevard Wednesday reported seeing prices already sitting at $4.19 per gallon, 10 cents over the reported average.
For local motorists, the sudden spike has triggered immediate sticker shock.
“It’s too much, I didn’t expect that,” said Celio Cruz, a local customer filling up his tank he says he has no other option by but to fill up.
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The rapid acceleration of the price hike has left many drivers questioning if their eyes are playing tricks on them. Kate Dowden, experienced that confusion firsthand.
“I was just like dang, it was a little bit like, did I go to the wrong gas station?” Dowden said. “I was a little shocked just because I just filled up about half the tank like two days ago and it was about $3.70.”
Typically, the autumn months bring relief to consumers’ wallets.
“Labor Day weekend marks the end to the summer travel season,” explained Mark Jenkins, a spokesperson for AAA. “And because people aren’t taking those extended road trips as much through the fall months, we typically will see gas prices decline.”
But that traditional relief is absent this year. Driven by conflict overseas, the local gas prices are $1.03 per gallon higher compared to this time last year.
According to AAA, the fluctuation is because of a heavily disrupted global fuel market. “The fuel market is extremely volatile right now,” Jenkins noted. “And a lot of that is because of this ongoing conflict with Iran. And we don’t know when that’s going to end.”
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With no telling when prices will head back down, Jacksonville residents say they have no choice but to pay to keep their cars moving. However, they warn that the extra money bleeding into their gas tanks will inevitably dry up funds elsewhere.
For Dowden, the spike directly threatens her income. “It definitely impacts my little side hustle that I do,” she said.
Jenkins noted that gasoline prices typically hit their lowest points during the weekend, making it the prime time for drivers to refuel.
In addition to timing their trips to the gas station, Jenkins recommends that drivers utilize fuel reward programs to maximize savings. However, some of the most effective cost-cutting measures happen after the tank is full.
“Watch very carefully the way that you drive,” Jenkins advised. “If you’re an aggressive driver, then you’re going to burn through that tank of gas much faster than someone who’s a little bit more conservative behind the wheel.”
Experts note that heavy braking and rapid acceleration significantly lower vehicle fuel efficiency, proving that a gentler foot on the pedal can lead to a heavier wallet.
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