TAMPA, Fla. — On Thursday, crude oil in the United States was priced at $99 per barrel, jumping more than $7 as an immediate global impact of Russia's widespread military attacks in Ukraine.
Russia is a major energy producer and its invasion of Ukraine has rocked global markets and oil prices. Oil prices had already surged recently to their highest level since 2014, and have continued to rise sharply.
The latest expected increase in oil prices comes after the U.S. and European countries imposed sanctions on Russia, fueling already inflating gas prices, according to CBS News.
Here in the U.S., Florida included, many may be worrying over how much more gas prices could continue to skyrocket, putting further strain on our budgets.
ABC News reports some analysts are predicting U.S. gas prices could go up as much as 50 cents.
So, what does that mean for us here in the Tampa Bay area right now?
According to AAA, on Thursday the current average price for regular unleaded gas in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area was $3.47 per gallon. It was slightly more expensive in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area at $3.48 per gallon.
In the Tampa Bay area, AAA says the cheapest average gas price was in the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice metro area at $3.45 per gallon.
Interestingly enough, a recent study from GasBuddy says Wednesdays and Thursdays are the worst days to fill up your tank.
Here in Florida, Friday is the best day to get gas, according to the study.
Looking for the cheapest places to fill up your tank in the Tampa Bay area? You can check them at any time by going to 10TampaBay.com/Gas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
