Find Cheapest Gas Prices In Tampa Bay For Thanksgiving Travel

TAMPA BAY, FL — Those planning to be traveling over the Thanksgiving weekend would be wise to fill up their gas tanks now.

AAA says gas prices are likely to rise by 5 to 10 cents a gallon this week. Currently, the average gas price in Florida is $2.36 per gallon.

AAA expects gas prices to be similar to last year’s Thanksgiving holiday, which averaged $2.45. Although prices at the pump have fluctuated as of late, they remain 16 cents per gallon less than the state average this time last year.

“Even if gas prices do rise this week, a 5- to 10-cent increase is not likely to cause Floridians to cancel their travel plans,” AAA - The Auto Club Group spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “If the state average returns to $2.45 per gallon, it’d be the same price motorists paid during last year’s holiday. Additionally, it’s nearly the same price Floridians paid a month ago – when most people were finalizing their travel plans."

However, if the state average remains less than $2.45, Thanksgiving travelers in Florida would be paying the lowest gas prices for the holiday in three years, Jenkins noted.

More than 55 million Americans plan to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving and nearly 2.9 million of those are Floridians, according to AAA.

This will be the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000; second only to 2005.

AAA said Wednesday afternoon is forecast to be the worst travel period nationally, with trips taking as much at four times longer than normal in major metropolitan areas.

“Florida drivers should expect the heaviest highway congestion on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m.” said Jenkis. “AAA recommends drivers plan ahead, identify alternate routes in case there are backups and leave early. Driving on Thanksgiving Day may not be ideal, but there are much fewer people on the road.”

According to the website GasBuddy, the current gas price in Tampa Bay is $2.40. But if residents check around, they can find gas for as low as $2.09.

As of Tuesday evening, here's are the lowest gas prices in Tampa Bay Patch communities:

• $2.09 - Sam's Club, 27727 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel.
• $2.09 - Costco, 2225 Grand Cypress Drive, Wesley Chapel.
• $2.11 - Costco, 2655 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.
• $2.11 - Sam's Club, 2575 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.
• $2.14 - Citgo, 900 34th St. N., St. Petersburg.
• $2.14 - Costco, 10921 Causeway Blvd., Brandon.
• $2.14 - Sam's Club, 2021 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon.
• $2.15 - Costco, 8712 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa.
• $2.15 - BJ's, 6920 Commerce Palms Blvd., New Tampa.
• $2.15 - 7-Eleven, 13151 Race Track Road, Westchase.
• $2.17 - Mobil, 2602 N. 50th St., Tampa.
• $2.19 - Citgo, 902 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa.
• $2.19 - Marathon, 6933 U.S. 301, Riverview.
• $2.22 - Sunoco, 8549 Old State Road 54, New Port Richey.
• $2.22 - Sunoco, 2911 James L. Redman Parkway, Plant City.
• $2.23 -Ress Fuel Station, 13851 7th Ave., Dade City.
• $2.25 - Citgo, 9640 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
• $2.25 - Marathon, 4322 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico.
• $2.25 - Mobil, 5390 Duhme Road, Seminole.
• $2.27 - Dodge's Store, 466 Patricia Ave., Dunedin.
• $2.29 - Mobil, 911 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.
• $2.29 - Mobil, 16055 State Road 52, Land O' Lakes.
• $2.29 - Mobil, 24905 State Road 54, Lutz.
• $2.29 - Chevron, 39720 U.S. 19, Tarpon Springs.
• $2.29 - Petro Champ, 5790 62nd Ave. N., Pinellas Park.
• $2.33 - Sam's Club, 15835 Dale Mabry Highway, Northdale.
• $2.33 - Shell, 2715 U.S. 19, Holiday.
• $2.33 - Speedway, 7317 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills.
• $2.37 - Exxon, 36300 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor.
• $2.37 - Kwik Stop, 353 Phillippe Parkway, Safety Harbor.
• $2.37 - Sunoco, 5150 Gulfport Blvd., Gulfport.
• $2.38 - Thorntons, 4103 Gunn Highway, Carrollwood.