Watch CBS News

Higher Pump Prices, Less Labor Day Travel

MIAMI (CBS4) – Fewer people were expected to hit the road this Labor Day weekend compared to last year; those that do will find that gas prices in Florida are up a bit from last week.

Nationwide, gas prices rose about six cents in the last week to an average of $3.67 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to GasBuddy.com.  In Florida, the price at the price increase has been about five cents in the last week to the current average of $3.62 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association.  Last year at this time, regular unleaded was averaging $2.62 a gallon across the state.

In Miami-Dade, drivers have seen the price at the pump jump nearly four cents in the last week to an average of $3.74 for a gallon of unleaded regular.  A year ago, the price of unleaded regular in the area averaged about a buck less at $2.71 a gallon.  Miami-Dade  and West Palm Beach, where unleaded regular is averaging $3.76 a gallon, are the most expensive places to fill up in the state.

In Ft. Lauderdale drivers are paying about $3.72 on average for a gallon of regular unleaded compared to $3.68 a week ago. Last year at this time regular unleaded averaged $2.68 a gallon.

Orlando and Tampa, where unleaded regular is averaging $3.55 and $3.56 a gallon respectively, are some of the cheapest places in the state to fill up.

Because gas prices are up nearly a dollar a gallon compared last year's Labor Day weekend, the American Automobile Association predicted 31.5 million people would travel at least 50 miles over the holiday weekend; that's a 2.4 percent drop in traffic this year compared to last year.

Check out the cheapest gas prices in your neighborhood at FloridaGasPrices.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.