Why is gas expensive in Palm Beach County? Prices hit $4.35 a gallon

• Gas prices in Palm Beach County rose to an average of $4.35 a gallon, a 30-cent increase in one week.
• Florida's average fuel price is $4.20 a gallon, which is higher than the national average of $4.06.
• The state now ranks 10th in the nation for the highest gas prices, with West Palm Beach having some of the most expensive fuel.
• Drivers can find cheaper gas using apps like GasBuddy and by visiting wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam's Club.

Palm Beach County gas prices rose 30 cents this week, reaching an average of $4.35 a gallon as of Wednesday, April 1, up from last week's price of $4.06, according to AAA-Auto Club.

The average fuel price in Florida is $4.2 a gallon, a rise of 30 cents since last week. A year ago, the state's gas price was 37% lower, at $3.07 per gallon.

Florida gas prices are already above the national average $4.06 as of Wednesday, April 1, according to AAA. The rise in fuel costs is also impacting the price of airplane tickets and postal rates across the U.S.

Here is what you need to know on fuel prices and where to find the best value gas stations in Palm Beach County:

Florida ranks 10th in the country for highest gas prices

Florida's average price of gas hit $4 a gallon on March 31, a first since 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The Sunshine State now ranks 10th highest in the U.S. where people pay more at the pump, according to AAA.

The cities with lowest prices include Pensacola ($3.82 per gallon), Panama City and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach. The metro areas leading with the highest fuel prices are: West Palm Beach and Boca Raton ($4.35 per gallon), Homosassa Springs and Naples.

States that are averaging more than $5 for a gallon of gas, as of April 1 include California, Hawaii and Washington.

Why is gas so expensive in Palm Beach County?

Fuel prices peaked to an average of $4.35 a gallon in Palm Beach County as of April 1, according to AAA. A 37% increase in fuel prices since last month.

Gas prices have steadily increased nationwide since the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran. Energy experts expect fuel costs to remain as the war enters its second month, according to the International Energy Agency.

Palm Beach County became the first in Florida to reach $4 for a gallon of gas on March 17, according to AAA. The county usually has some of the highest gas prices in the state.

"The biggest difference-maker in Palm Beach County prices is based on the cost of living and operating a business. If it costs more to keep the lights on, then you are likely to find higher costs for consumers as well,” Tampa-based AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins told The Palm Beach Post.

What Palm Beach County gas stations have the cheapest gas?

According to GasBuddy, the Palm Beach County gas stations offering the lowest average price for a gallon of regular as of April 1 are:

• West Palm Beach: $3.99 the gallon in Sam's CLUB: 4295 45th St.
• Palm Beach Gardens: $3.79 per gallon. Costco 3250 Northlake Blvd.
• Boca Raton: $3.81 per gallon. Costco 17800 Congress Ave.
• North Palm Beach: $3.81 per gallon. Rocket Fuel: 100 N Federal Hwy.

What are the cheapest gas stations in Palm Beach County's largest cities?

According to GasBuddy, these are the cheapest gas for of the county's biggest cities as of April 1:

• West Palm Beach: $3.99 per gallon. Shell: 1850 Okeechobee Blvd.
• Boca Raton: $3.99 per gallon. Chevron 5101 North Federal Highway.
• Jupiter: $3.99 per gallon. Sunoco: 1651 Indiantown Road.
• Wellington: $4.08 per gallon. Shell: Mile Marker, 94 Florida's Turnpike #94
• Greenacres: $4.09 per gallon. Cumberland Farms: 5245 10th Avenue North.
• North Palm Beach: $4.19 per gallon. Marathon: 11269 US-1.
• Palm Beach Gardens: $4.19 per gallon. Mobil: 4201 Northlake Boulevard.
• Lake Worth Beach: $4.21 per gallon. Rocket Fuel 632 N. Dixie Highway.
• Delray Beach: $4.23 per gallon. Murphy USA: 16211 S. Military Trail.

How to find the cheapest gas in Palm Beach County?

Several apps that help drivers find the cheapest gas including: GasBuddy, AAA and Gas Guru.

How to check gas price at Costco, Sam's Club and other stations in your county?

Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's typically price gas at their pumps 5 to 25 cents cheaper per gallon.

To find the cheapest price of fuel near your location go to: gasbuddy.com and click on your county.

Tips to save money on gas

Here is what you can do daily to help save gas:

• Slow down and drive the speed limit.
  •  Fuel economy drops off significantly over 50 mph.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration, which greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Avoid prolonged idling.
  • If your car will be stopped for more than 60 seconds, shut off the engine to save fuel.
  • Letting your car idle for long periods can use up 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of gas per hour, according to Florida Farm Bureau.
• When driving in town, adjust your speed to “time” the traffic lights.
• Don't keep circling to find the "perfect” parking spot.
  • Americans reportedly spend an average of 17 hours per year searching for parking, which is a lot of wasted gas, according to Florida Farm Bureau.
• When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed.
• Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle.
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed.
• If your car has a manual transmission, upshift as soon as you can.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
  •  Using the air conditioner can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 25 percent, according to Florida Farm Bureau.
• Combine multiple errands in one trip.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use and remove heavy, bulky items to improve mileage.
• Gas tends to be more expensive if the station is just off the highway.
  • Use one of the available apps to find a cheaper station nearby.

➤ Get more tips to help save you money

Valentina Palm covers immigration and Palm Beach County's western communities for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at [email protected] at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today