Gas prices rising

Usually, gas prices go up leading up to a holiday. That trend seems to be working in reverse, as gas prices have gone up more than 10-cents a gallon since July fourth.



 

A trip from Port Charlotte to watch a soccer game cost Cristiano Oliveira $75.

"It's $3.65. It's crazy," he said. "It's getting to the point we've got to get the bicycles out next," he said.

Perhaps the soccer trip would have cost less at the start of the month.

The statewide average is up 14-cents since July fourth, up now to $3.64 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

Southwest Florida is still below national and state averages.

"Unfortunately, I think we're all kind of getting used to it," said David Pojero, with AAA.

AAA projected holiday travel was up this year, but other indicators show gas consumption in the U.S. has steadily gone down in recent months.

"I try not to go too many places since the gas went up," said Fort Myers driver George Giles.

So, why would prices go up if Americans are driving less?

Experts say it's all about world demand. Places like China, India, and Latin America are apparently all using fuel at record rates.

But according to AAA, relief from rising prices could come soon because demand was not as high as expected.

For now, they suggest drivers do what Tim Shrader does on a regular basis. Tire inflation and oil changes - if done regularly - can add 10-percent more to your miles per gallon.

"[If] you do all that basic maintenance stuff, you'd be amazed how much gas you can actually save yourself," said Pojero.

Unfortunately, experts say a return to last year's prices as low as $2.75 seems unlikely.