TALLAHASSEE - Florida motorists faced a return to the highest gas prices of 2024 last week, but there's potential good news as those prices began to ebb over the weekend.

The state saw its average gas price reach $3.64 per gallon last Friday, matching the year's previous high in mid-April. By Sunday, however, the average had dipped to $3.61 per gallon. This price is slightly above what it was at this time last year but remains below the peaks of $3.85 in 2023 and $4.89 in 2022.

In regional specifics, Miami-Dade reported an average price of $3.60 per gallon on Monday, a small increase from $3.58 the week prior. Broward County’s average remained stable at $3.64 per gallon.

Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, shared some potentially encouraging news for drivers. "Motorists may soon see a decline in pump prices," he said. "A recent drop in oil prices has led to a decrease in gasoline futures by about 20 cents per gallon."

Indeed, the U.S. oil price fell below $80 last Wednesday and settled at $78.11 per barrel by Friday, marking a 7% reduction from the prior week. This decline could translate to a 10-15 cent drop in gasoline prices, AAA predicts.

"If oil prices don’t rebound this week, we should continue to see a downward trend in gas prices," Jenkins noted.

The most expensive areas to fill up continue to be West Palm Beach, Homosassa Springs, and Naples, while the panhandle remains the cheapest. The fluctuating prices are particularly impactful for Floridians who rely heavily on driving, such as delivery personnel and sales representatives, influencing both personal budgeting and broader economic behaviors.

With the recent decrease in oil costs, there is a hopeful outlook that gas prices might stabilize, offering some relief to consumers amidst broader economic challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions. Floridians are watching closely, hoping that this marks the start of a trend toward more manageable fuel costs.