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Tampa Area Gas Prices Up 12 Cents, To Over $2 A Gallon

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By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 30, 2009

TAMPA - Gasoline prices in the Tampa Bay area have spiked 12 cents a gallon over the last two weeks, according to AAA.

Bay area motorists are paying $2.04 on average for a gallon of regular unleaded, up from $1.92 on March 16, AAA's daily survey showed. Statewide, the same grade of fuel is averaging $2.09 a gallon, up from $2 a week ago.

The last time area motorists paid at least $2 a gallon was in November.

Industry observers attribute the increase to a sharp spike in crude oil prices and tighter supplies created by the annual transition from winter to summer blends of fuel.

"Retail price increases now are following a consistent seasonal pattern that we see year after year," said AAA spokesman Gregg Laskoski.

Oil prices rose to new highs for the year last week, climbing above $54 a barrel, up from $35 in February.

Although pump prices have spiked, they are still well below last year's levels. A year ago, Bay area motorists were paying $3.27 on average for a gallon of regular unleaded.

Nationally, the same grade of fuel is averaging $2.05 a gallon, up from $1.95 a week ago, according to AAA.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870.

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