County gas prices continue to rise

Gas prices in Hernando County are slightly lower than the state and national average but could creep higher because of the rising cost of crude oil.

Regular unleaded was selling for $2.62 per gallon Monday at the Sam's Club off State Road 50, one of the lowest in Brooksville, according to www.GasBuddy.com.

The Web site reported the lowest price for regular unleaded in Spring Hill was $2.68 at the BP station at the corner of Spring Hill Drive and Anderson Snow Road.

The national average price of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.70 per gallon, up six cents from last week. Florida's average price of $2.76 per gallon reflects an eight-cent increase from last week.

This time last month, the average price of regular unleaded in Florida was $2.73 per gallon. One year ago, it was $1.95 per gallon.

"This week is important to watch and will give us a good idea where crude prices and ultimately retail prices will head in the near future," said Jessica Brady, AAA public relations specialist.

Across the nation, consumers watched the price of retail gasoline increase upwards of 10 cents in some markets. The spike is a response to crude oil increasing after reports showed the U.S. economy grew more than expected in the last quarter of 2009 - at a 5.9 percent annual rate, up from the 5.7 percent forecast, according to AAA Auto Club South.

"Prices will likely continue their upward trend, but the state of Chile's oil refineries, which have shut down because of power outages, could lead to higher than expected prices," Brady said."

On Friday, crude oil closed at $79.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest price in six weeks.