ORLANDO, Fla. – As Thanksgiving approaches, Florida drivers are feeling the pinch at the pump with a sharp increase in gas prices. Over the past week, prices surged by 20 cents per gallon, a significant rise as millions plan their holiday travels.

On Sunday, the average price for gas in Florida was reported at $3.10 per gallon, reflecting this recent uptick.

Mark Jenkins, a representative for AAA, commented on the situation, noting, “Florida gas prices jumped 20 cents last week, following a familiar trend of rising after a series of declines. If that pattern holds, drivers could see prices ease as they hit the road for Thanksgiving.” He added an optimistic note, mentioning that “with pump prices matching last year’s holiday, even a small drop would give travelers extra savings compared to 2024.”

To put this into perspective, the $3.10 per gallon average is currently 18 cents higher than it was just a week ago, highlighting the rapid change in fuel costs as the holiday season kicks into gear.

• 18 cents more than last week

• 15 cents more than last month

• 2 cents more than last year

• The same price as Thanksgiving Day 2024

[WATCH BELOW: Nearly 2M travelers expected at Orlando International Airport for Thanksgiving holiday period]

AAA estimates that nearly 73 million Americans will travel by car to their holiday destinations. The auto club group also projects 4.65 million Floridians will hit the road, marking a 2.6% increase over the last year and sets a new record for Thanksgiving travel.

Thanksgiving is still the busiest travel holiday of the year, ranking higher that Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

Regional Prices

• Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.26), Naples ($3.20), Ocala ($3.17)

• Least expensive metro markets – Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.71), Pensacola ($2.73), Panama City ($2.75)

Ways to Save on Gasoline

1. Combine errands to limit driving time.

2. Drive conservatively. Avoid aggressive acceleration and speeding, which reduces fuel economy.

3. Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds taken out of the vehicle improves fuel economy by 1-2 percent.

4. Shop around for the best gas prices in your community by using the AAA mobile app.

5. Pay with cash. Some retailers charge more per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.