Gasoline prices in Florida heading into what should be a busy travel season for Thanksgiving are the highest they’ve been on Turkey Day in eight years.

That’s because, last week, the average cost of a gallon of gasoline in the Sunshine State increased by 10 cents, according to the AAA-Auto Club’s weekly gasoline prices briefing.

Despite the drop in the cost of crude oil, which is affecting consumer prices, the gallon at the pump has peaked at $ 3.36 over the past week.

“High gas prices are not something drivers will be thankful for this Thanksgiving,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “The good news is that gas prices are expected to gradually decline over the holidays. Crude oil and gasoline futures fell last week, which should re-establish some downward pressure on prices at the bottom. pump.”

The fluctuation in prices over the past month – which has only fallen to rebound to record levels – comes as more than 2.6 million Floridians prepare to hit the road for the holidays and the Biden administration has requested an investigation of the price increases.

From United States TODAY:Is “illegal driving” the reason for the rise in gas prices? Biden urges regulators to educate themselves

President Joe Biden last week called on federal regulators to investigate whether oil and gas companies were engaging in “illegal behavior” by keeping prices high while their costs fall.

“The result is this: Gasoline prices at the pump remain high, even as costs for oil and gas companies decline,” Biden said in a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chairman Lina Khan on Wednesday. . “The Federal Trade Commission has the power to review whether illegal driving is costing families at the pump. I think you should do so immediately.”

An FTC spokesperson told USA TODAY that the regulatory agency was looking into the matter.

Florida gas prices slightly lower than national average

Average gas prices in Florida are only slightly lower than the national average, $ 3.41 per gallon, but overall prices have skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, California broke a record with an average price hovering around $ 4.68 per gallon.

In his letter, Biden noted that the price of unrefined gasoline fell 5% over the past month while gasoline prices rose 3% nationally. US inflation hit 31-year highs under Biden.

“This large and unexplained gap between the price of unfinished gasoline and the average pump price is well above the pre-pandemic average,” Biden said, adding that the largest oil and gas companies were generating. significant profits from rising energy prices. ”

For USA TODAY subscribers:What is driving US inflation to its highest level in 31 years? The reasons and solutions are complicated

Regional rates

• The most expensive subway markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($ 3.49), Fort Lauderdale ($ 3.39), Port St. Lucie ($ 3.39).
• Cheapest metro markets – Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($ 3.26), Pensacola ($ 3.27), Panama City ($ 3.30).
• Daily gas price averages are available at Gasprices.aaa.com.

Joey Garrison with USA TODAY contributed. Contact Karl Etters at [email protected] or @KarlEtters on Twitter.

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