JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the first time, the national average for a gallon of gas now tops $5.
Some states are paying way more than that.
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According to AAA, most California drivers are paying close to $6.50.
The national average jumped 19 cents this past week alone.
In Florida, the average cost is still a little bit away from that -- it’s at $4.88 in the Sunshine State.
The national average is up nearly $2 from what it was at this point last year.
AAA says contributing factors are :
- inflation levels at a 40-year high
- rising oil cost
- high demand
- sanctions against Russia, a world leader in producing oil
In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that would put a hold on the state’s 25-cent a gallon gas tax. That starts in October and lasts for a month.
Lawmakers are asking him to step up that timeline.
Orlando Democrat Linda Stewart wrote in a letter to the governor, ”As the chief executive of this state, you have the power to ease this crisis. I strongly urge you to follow the lead of other state governors, and do so immediately.”
Right now, Georgia has the cheapest gas, with its average at $4.47. That’s in part because the state’s gas tax is suspended until at least the middle of July.