SWFL gas prices at highest point since 2008

Prices at the pump are surging, and the cost per gallon hasn’t been this high since 2008, but some of you are finding ways to save.

Gas prices are going up so fast that people tell WINK News they could drive by the same gas station after one hour and see its listed price rise by 30 to 40 cents. Fuel costs were already rising before Russia invaded Ukraine and have only gone up more since the war began. Several Southwest Florida gas stations were offering a gallon of gas for $3.99, others for more than $4.

WINK News spoke to some people who were filling their tanks in Cape Coral and asked them if they are considering making any changes to their daily routine.

“I told my wife I’m gonna go scoot out to see if I can get some gas that was $3.59 a couple of days ago, and I’ve been riding around and just… accepted it, that it’s $3.99 a gallon,” said Mike Wagner.

“Bills are high already, and gas… we shouldn’t have to worry about paying almost $4, it’s like a gallon of milk, it’s crazy; I have to get on my bike, start riding my bike,” said Lisa Martes

Tom Smythe, a finance professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, says there are a few reasons gas prices are skyrocketing. The main offenders are inflation and cutting off supplies from oil suppliers. Based on how things are going now, he says gas prices will continue to go up, but there’s hope that it won’t last too much longer.

“Gas prices and oil prices are extremely volatile from day to day, so try not to focus on short-term,” Smythe said. “Don’t go out and panic-purchase.”

Until we start to see those prices go down, places like Sam’s Club do offer gas a few cents cheaper than other gas stations, but you do need a membership in order to fill up there.