JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gas prices have reached the highest they’ve been all year, according to AAA.
With oil refineries and a pipeline having to shut down because of Harvey, there's a higher demand for gasoline, AAA says.
Clint Jacobs told News4Jax that he noticed the cost of filling up his tank was more expensive than usual while driving from Georgia to Florida on Thursday.
“It takes a little more than $20, so I’m expecting now it’s closer to $30," Jacobs said. "(I'll) probably ride the motorcycle a little more."
According to AAA, since Friday -- when Harvey came ashore in Texas -- gas prices have increased 10 cents in Florida. Currently, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Florida stands at $2.41, and at $2.45 nationwide.
The AAA website reports the average price of a gallon of gas in Florida rose 6 cents overnight -- from $2.35 on Wednesday to $2.41 on Thursday. In Jacksonville, the average price of a gallon of gas rose 8 cents -- from $2.29 on Wednesday to $2.37 on Thursday.
"I don't like it, but it's one of those unfortunate necessities," driver Maylon Lewis said.
According to AAA, drivers should expect gas prices to rise another 5-10 cents due to a combination refinery and pipeline shut downs, tightened access to supply levels in the Gulf Coast and anticipated high gasoline demand for Labor Day weekend.
AAA says gas prices aren’t expected to go down until mid to late September. Until then, Jacobs said, he'll be making fewer trips across state lines.