Fuel prices continue to drift higher

By Palm Beach Business.com Staff

DELRAY BEACH — Gasoline prices continued to rise over the past week, gaining about a penny and a half statewide, according to the latest report from the Energy Information Administration.

Gas prices have been rising steadily since bottoming out in December.

EIA put the Florida average for a gallon of regular at $2.091, up from $2.076 a week ago and $1.952 a month ago.

AAA reported the Palm Beach County average at $2.174 a gallon, up from $2.064 a month ago. It’s the highest average price of any market in the state. Miami was second at $2.16, while Pensacola had the cheapest gas statewide at $2.039.

The national average for regular is $2.051, according to EIA, up from $2.037 a week ago and $1.941 a month ago.

The average price for all grades sat at $2.104 a gallon nationally and $2.157 in Florida, according to Monday’s EIA report.

Diesel was basically flat at $2.229 nationally, according to EIA. A week ago diesel averaged $2.228 a gallon and $2.017 a month ago.

AAA reported the Palm Beach County average at $2.418.

Where prices are headed is difficult to say. Crude oil fell more than $2 a barrel Monday to less than $50. Gasoline futures were down more than 2 cents to about $1.45 a gallon.