Florida gas prices jump 22 cents

WFTV reported on May 19 that Florida’s average gasoline price rose 22 cents in a day to $4.43 per gallon as Memorial Day travel approached. AAA’s Florida fuel tracker showed the statewide average at $4.43 on May 19, and at $4.521 on May 20. (wftv.com) The move came as fuel costs were already running well above year-earlier levels. WFTV said a gallon of regular gas in Florida was $3.03 at the same point last year, a difference it said added about $21 to the cost of filling a 15-gallon tank. (gasprices.aaa.com) (newsroom.aaa.com) AAA’s national tracker also showed broader pressure at the pump. The national average for regular gasoline was $4.533 on May 19 and $4.555 on May 20, according to AAA. ### How much did Florida prices move in 24 hours? AAA’s Florida average climbed from $4.21 on Monday to $4.43 on Tuesday, according to WFTV’s May 19 report. (wftv.com) AAA’s public fuel-price page matched the $4.43 statewide average for May 19. By Wednesday, May 20, AAA listed Florida’s average at $4.521. That put the state slightly below the national average of $4.555, based on AAA’s state-by-state and national data. (wftv.com) ### Where were prices in Florida on May 20? AAA’s Florida page showed county averages ranging from $4.131 to $4.744 on May 20. (gasprices.aaa.com) The same page said county retail prices are updated daily. WFTV had already reported rising prices in Central Florida on May 14, when AAA’s statewide average was $4.38 per gallon, more than 7 cents above the previous day. In a separate report last week, WFTV said average gas prices in Central Florida were above $4.50 a gallon. (wftv.com) ### How much higher are prices than a year ago? (gasprices.aaa.com) WFTV said Florida drivers were paying far more than they did before Memorial Day in 2025. The station reported that regular gasoline averaged $3.03 per gallon at the same time last year. (gasprices.aaa.com) That year-over-year gap amounted to roughly $1.40 per gallon. Using WFTV’s calculation, a 15-gallon fill-up cost about $21 more than it did a year earlier. ### What does AAA say about holiday travel? (wftv.com) AAA said in its Memorial Day travel forecast that 45.1 million Americans were expected to travel domestically over the holiday period. The group said Friday, May 23, was expected to be the busiest day for Hertz rental-car pickups. AAA’s travel forecast also said the unofficial start of summer typically brings stronger driving demand and that pump prices can rise with it. (wftv.com) The organization said gas prices usually peak in summer before easing when schools return in the fall. ### What should drivers watch next? AAA’s Florida fuel tracker updates daily, and its May 20 reading put the state average at $4.521 per gallon. The same site publishes county averages and metro data for Florida markets. Friday, May 23, is the next major travel marker in AAA’s Memorial Day forecast, with rental-car demand expected to be highest that day. (newsroom.aaa.com) Gas-price updates on AAA’s Florida page will show whether the state average keeps rising into the holiday weekend. (gasprices.aaa.com)