AAA says gas prices could top $3 per gallon soon

Gas is expected to top $3 per gallon soon.

According to AAA, drivers are paying more at the pump than they have in nearly three years.

“It’s ridiculous,” Malaisha Rayner said.

“It’s going to keep rising, and I don’t like it,” Sunee Cox said.

She might not like it, but most drivers pay it regardless. However, Cox is not like most drivers.

“I’ve been doing a lot of bike riding,” Cox said.

Gas prices statewide average $2.87 per gallon.

For Naples drivers, that’s what you should expect to pay. It’s a little cheaper in Fort Myers, and in Cape Coral, the average is $2.83 per gallon.

But this is the most we’ve paid for gas since June 2018.

“If it hits three dollars, I’m parking this car,” Rayner said.

“At this point, three dollars a gallon is certainly possible,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said. “We’re not saying it’s definitely going to happen, but we’re at $2.87 right now. Another round of rising prices could bring us really close to that.”

Jenkins told us oil companies cut back on production in the last year because of the pandemic.

But U.S. Sen. Rick Scott blames President Joe Biden, saying they’ve gone up 50 cents since he took office.

We noticed some gas pumps were bagged around Southwest Florida, but AAA said this is the exception, not the rule.

There’s plenty of gas and more of a demand.

AAA recommends drivers shop around for the best price. But we know most stations now keep their prices within a couple pennies of each other. Don’t be surprised if these higher prices stick around, as the summer travel season is just weeks away.

Rayner told us she’s going to follow her grandma’s advice.

“Drive less,” Rayner said. “Be strategic about where you have to go, where you need to go.”