(March 18, 2018) BOSTON — GasBuddy reveals that motorists in the Greater Tampa Area will be paying an average of $398 for gas this spring, up nearly a quarter per gallon versus last year, adding up to an extra $72 in seasonal gasoline expenses for the average Tampa driver.

The hikes are mainly due to higher oil prices and summer’s more expensive blend of gasoline, regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act, as well as refinery maintenance work lasting several months that causes gasoline production to drop, creating a pinch at the pump.

“While spring gas price hikes happen every year, this year’s especially pricey for Tampa given we are not anywhere near the heavy demand driving season,” says Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. ”There is a great potential for gas prices to continue their upward trend, potentially reaching $2.95 a gallon or higher in the Tampa area by Memorial Day.”

GasBuddy’s analysis of Tampa’s gas prices found that prices are up 57 cents since 2016 and are continuing to rise, causing Floridians to shell out even more for their gasoline.

Not only are drivers in Tampa paying more for gas this spring, but they can also overpay if they don’t shop around. The average price spread in Tampa, otherwise known as the difference between the lowest and highest priced gas stations, is an average of 20 cents per gallon.

”Motorists who don’t pay attention to the price spread are going to pay over $430 for gas this spring, while smart shoppers who do their research before they leave the house have a major savings opportunity,” says DeHaan.

In GasBuddy’s previous price spread study in 2017, Tampa was ranked #17 on the list of cities with the highest gas price spreads in the United States.

“With gas prices rising this spring and with the spread near record levels, it’s crucial for motorists to shop smart to avoid flushing money down the toilet,” says DeHaan. “Programs like Pay with GasBuddy are free to join and allow motorists to save at least 5c/gal on every fill-up no matter what station they choose. Couple these savings with shopping around and Tampa-area drivers have the tools to push back at the pump.”