Tampa, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Gasoline prices continue to go up. AAA says Florida's average for a gallon of regular gas of $2.61 is 16 cents more than a month ago, and 32 cents more than this time last year.
Tampa AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins says the higher cost of gasoline is due to the price of crude oil. Oil prices are trading at $33 per barrel more than the same time two years ago when gas prices were below $2 a gallon.
There may be more bad news ahead as refinery maintenance season reaches its peak in mid-March. Gas prices usually rise as there is reduced output when the refineries are getting a tune-up.
The most expensive gasoline prices in Florida are in the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area at $2.72. The least expensive gas price averages are in Punta Gorda at $2.57.