Tampa gas prices surge 13 cents in one week, making for highest hike in Florida

Tampa Bay had the largest weekly gas price increase of any major metro market in the state, jumping 13 cents this past week.

Tampa's regular unleaded average gas price jumped from $2.225 to $2.363 in a week, according to a report from AAA.

Orlando was second with a 12-cent increase, followed by Jacksonville and Fort Myers-Cape Coral with a 9-cent increase, the report showed.

The average price in Tampa Bay reached $2.36 before leveling off on Sunday, the same as it was a month ago and 5 cents more than this time last year.

The most expensive gas prices in Florida are in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton at $2.45 and Miami and Fort Lauderdale at $2.39.

Conversely, the least expensive areas in the state are Pensacola, Jacksonville and Tallahassee at $2.35.

Gas prices may also spike after four Arab nations cut diplomatic ties to Qater on Monday over its relations with Iran and support of Islamist groups – a move that will isolate the tiny energy-rich country by cutting off its land, sea and air routes to the outside world.

"Tampa gas prices were brought back in line with where they probably should've been selling, based on prices in the wholesale market," AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a news release. "Fortunately, the retail side has leveled off, and could even be on the way back down this week. Oil and wholesale prices weakened last week, which should allow gas prices to slip a few cents."

The national average price for gas drifted slightly higher during the past week, too, to $2.38, according to the report. The average price for Florida fell 1 cent lower, at $2.37.