Tampa, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Drivers here in the Tampa Bay area will be paying an average of 398 dollars for gas this spring. The Analysts at TampaGasPrices.Com say that number is about a quarter more per gallon than last year.
Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the price increases are mainly due to higher oil prices, more expensive summer blend gasoline and refinery maintenance. DeHaan says that maintenance causes gas production to drop.
DeHaan says OPEC's decision to cut production back in 2016 is also a contributing factor to higher gasoline costs.
DeHaan says area gas prices are up by 57 cents a gallon since 2016 and are continuing to rise. He says there is the potential to reach $2.95 a gallon here by Memorial Day.