Florida gas prices dropped almost 20 cents a gallon over the past week, welcome news for motorists trying to fill up.
But will prices start going up again after talks between Iran and the U.S. failed, which prompted President Trump to order a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz?
Oil prices have already jumped to more than $100 a barrel as of Monday morning, April 13.
➤ Live updates: US to blockade Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rise.
Gas prices dropped to an average of $4.124 a gallon across the U.S. Monday, April 13, with Florida motorists paying less than the national average, $4.016.
The price drops came before a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz begins at 10 a.m. ET April 13, according to U.S. Central Command.
Here’s what you should know.
US Navy to blockade Strait of Hormuz after talks fail
After peace negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed over the weekend, President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy will start blockading the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump posted on TruthSocial “the United States will interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran to pass through the critical shipping route. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.”
“The blockade will be enforced impartially (starting 10 a.m. April 13) against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” according to U.S. Central Command.
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran began April 7.
Trump: ‘Gas prices could be same ‘or a little higher’ before midterms
Trump said Sunday the price of oil and gas could remain elevated before the midterm elections in November.
“It could be the same or maybe a little bit higher, but it should be around the same,” Trump told Fox News on April 12.
How much have gas prices gone up? Record set
Gas prices increased by a record 21.2% in March.
That’s the largest monthly increase since record collection began in 1967, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 10.
Over the year, gas prices were up 18.9%.
Will it cost more to fly as Iran war continues?
Airlines haven’t done a lot in the way of adjusting ticket prices as a result of higher oil prices so far, but major U.S. carriers recently announced plans to raise their checked bag fees, citing higher operating costs.
➤ Fifth airline announces baggage fees going up
Airlines that have made cuts in the United States so far have mostly done so on routes with multiple flights each day.
Track Florida gas prices this year
Florida gas prices rose sharply after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran Feb. 28.
Florida gas prices drop 18 cents over past week
AAA posted the average price in Florida on April 13 was $4.016, down 18 cents from a week ago. Florida prices also fell below the national average of $4.125.
The highest price in Florida continues to be in Monroe County, where the average price was $4.335 April 13.
➤ As gas prices skyrocket, can Florida residents do anything to save money?
Here’s a comparison of the daily average price of a gallon of regular in Florida, as provided by AAA:
In comparison:
National gas prices remain above $4 a gallon
The national average for a gallon of gas remained above $4 a gallon Monday, April 13, sitting at $4.125, according to AAA.
Here’s a look at gas prices per gallon of regular provided by AAA as of April 13:
Compare to:
When was the last time Florida saw gas prices over $4 a gallon?
The last time a gallon of regular was over $4 a gallon in Florida was in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
According to data going back to May 2003, Florida motorists paid more than $4 a gallon:
Contributing: USA TODAY
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://herald-tribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Will Florida gas prices go up again with blockade of Strait of Hormuz?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
