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The average price of gasoline in Florida closed this Sunday at $4.02 per gallon, according to AAA — The Auto Club Group, after rising 14 cents at the beginning of last week before slightly retreating towards the weekend.
The average on Sunday was two cents less than the previous week, but seven cents more than a month ago and a dollar more than in the same period last year, reported Florida Politics.
AAA warns that prices may decrease slightly this week, following a significant drop in the crude oil market.
"The price of oil fell by nearly 13% last week following reports that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to commercial traffic, easing concerns about supply disruptions. Crude ended the week almost $13 per barrel lower than the previous week, a shift that could translate into a change of approximately 30 cents at the pump," stated AAA in a statement."
However, the organization warns that prices may not fully reflect the drop in crude oil, as by the end of the weekend, traffic through the strait remained practically restricted and markets were on edge.
"The prices of oil are reacting to rapidly changing headlines, and this volatility makes it very difficult to predict what drivers will see at the pump. The drop last week might provide some short-term relief, but with the situation in the Middle East still unclear, prices could rise again just as quickly depending on how events unfold," warned Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA.
The central factor of this volatility is the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil flows.
Since February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran, gasoline prices in Florida have increased by more than 37%, reaching a peak of $4.10 per gallon on April 5, the highest level since 2022.
On April 12, following the failure of negotiations in Islamabad, Trump ordered a selective naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz against vessels originating from or destined for Iranian ports, effective from April 13, causing WTI crude to spike above $104 per barrel.
Iran announced the reopening of the strait to commercial traffic on April 18 as part of a fragile ceasefire, but Trump insisted that the U.S. naval blockade remains in effect. On Monday, WTI rebounded to $88 per barrel, with a daily increase of 5.47%.
The uncertainty intensifies as the ceasefire in the region expires on April 22, Iran has threatened to reinstate strict control over the strait, and Trump accused Iran of firing at a French vessel and a British freighter over the weekend.
A second round of negotiations in Pakistan, led by Vice President JD Vance, began this Sunday.
Regarding the differences within the state, the cheapest cities are Panama City ($3.72 per gallon), Pensacola ($3.74), and the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach area ($3.77). The most expensive are West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($4.16), Naples ($4.08), and Fort Lauderdale ($4.07).
The national average this Monday was $4.04 per gallon.
The Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent projected last Wednesday that gasoline could drop to around $3 per gallon during the summer of 2026, but conditioned that forecast on a complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, something analysts warn could take weeks to materialize due to security risks and complications with maritime insurance.
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