Gas prices are on the rise in the Tampa area.
- Tampa prices up 5.3 cents per gallon
- GasBuddy expert says Matthew not really to blame
- National average up nearly 8 cents over last month
Average retail gasoline prices in Tampa have risen 5.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.10 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 1,260 gas outlets in Tampa.
This compares with the national average that has increased 3.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.25 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Tampa during the past week, prices Sunday were 7.0 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 3.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.
The national average has increased 7.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 6.1 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on October 10 in Tampa have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.17 per gallon in 2015, $3.20 in 2014, $3.16 in 2013, $3.60 in 2012 and $3.25 in 2011.
Other gas prices in Florida:
Sarasota - $2.13 per gallon, up 5.4 cents per gallon from last week's $2.08.
Orlando - $2.13 per gallon, up 6.2 cents per gallon from last week's $2.06.
"Gasoline prices have risen in much of the country over the last week as crude oil prices rose to over $50 per barrel as market weighed the possibility of OPEC cutting production," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.
"Among the hardest hit were Great Lakes states as refinery issues also pushed fuel prices higher. And while hundreds of gas stations in Florida ran out of gasoline ahead of Hurricane Matthew, much of the increase was not because of the storm but due to the rise in crude oil prices," DeHaan said.