Gas prices are higher than they’ve been all year. It’s not all Harvey’s fault

It’s a holiday weekend and Harvey ripped through the Texas coastline. That’s two reasons why the country is seeing higher gas prices this weekend.

Florida, with an average price of $2.49, fell just below Friday’s national average for gas prices was $2.51, according to AAA. The national average is up seven cents from Thursday.

In Bradenton, some stations were selling regular unleaded for as much as $2.59 per gallon.

The $2.44 price average Thursday was the highest recorded price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline so far in 2017, according to AAA. Friday’s average price was even higher.

With the shutdowns of several refineries and pipelines, tightened access to supply levels in the Gulf of Mexico and an expected high demand for gas during the Labor Day weekend, consumers can expect to see higher prices, according to AAA.

“Consumers will see a short-term spike in the coming weeks with gas prices likely topping $2.50 per gallon, but quickly dropping by mid to late September,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson in a release.

Some of the highest prices in the country were in Michigan and Pennsylvania and along the West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii, according to AAA.

Texas, despite Harvey’s devastation to some of the state’s Gulf Coast cities, had some of the lowest gas prices Friday, averaging $2.36.

South Carolina saw that largest increase in gas prices, according to AAA, up 19 cents since Aug. 25.

One week ago, the national average gas price was $2.35.

This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Gas prices are higher than they’ve been all year. It’s not all Harvey’s fault."