Florida gas prices increase

Looking west on CR 329, from Sonoco gas station across the street. [Supplied]

Florida’s breather with average gas prices under $3 a gallon came to a quick end, with the average jumping more than a dime over the past week.

The AAA auto club said Florida motorists Monday paid an average of $3.10 a gallon for regular unleaded, up from $2.96 a week earlier. AAA said gas prices typically start going up this time of year and reach a peak during summer.

The national average price Monday was $3.17 a gallon, up from $3.13 a week earlier, according to AAA. A year ago, the average in Florida was $3.59 a gallon while the national average was $3.54.

The Panama City area had the state’s lowest average price Monday at $2.89 a gallon, while the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area had the highest average at $3.26, according to AAA.