Gas prices in Bradenton-Sarasota jump by 10.9 cents a gallon

MANATEE -- Local gas prices still seem low from a year ago, but they jumped more than a dime in the past week.

Average retail gasoline prices in the Bradenton-Sarasota area have risen 10.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.18 a gallon now, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 308 area gas outlets in Sarasota. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.31 a gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Prices Sunday were 106.4 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 0.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has decreased 3.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 88 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

"A majority of states saw gasoline prices jumping over the last week thanks to a upward move in oil prices, as well as refinery maintenance season getting under way, constricting gasoline output," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. "The jump was led by states in the Midwest. North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Oklahoma led with the largest increases, while areas of the West Coast saw continued relief at the pump."

Gas prices in Florida now average $2.22 a gallon, compared with $2.15 a week ago and $3.25 a year ago, according to AAA data.

"The good news for motorists is that prices are still forecast to slip back toward $2 a gallon by the end of the year," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA - The Auto Club Group.

The national average price of gas has fallen in October for three years in a row. Gas prices typically drop in October because of a seasonal decline in both driving and fuel demand. Driving is expected to remain relatively strong because of low gas prices. Total U.S. driving topped 1.82 trillion miles during the first seven months of the year, beating the previous record of 1.77 trillion set during the first seven months of 2007, according to the latest estimates by the Federal Highway Administration.

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 9:57 AM with the headline "Gas prices in Bradenton-Sarasota jump by 10.9 cents a gallon ."