Drivers across Sarasota and Manatee counties got a jolt at the pump this week. Regular gas reached $4.39 a gallon at a Sarasota County Wawa on Wednesday, while AAA put Florida’s average for regular unleaded at $4.19 — up from $4.12 the day before. The national average rose roughly 13 cents in a week, and there’s no clear sign of a cooldown yet.
The pain isn’t evenly spread. Small businesses that depend on vehicles feel it first. KT Lee, owner of the Bradenton Flower Shop, says her vans and her employees’ own cars take a real strain when fuel climbs. She adjusts delivery fees by zip code and area code to offset gas costs, and rising prices pressure payroll too. Economists note that when fuel costs rise, families typically cut hospitality and travel spending first — which ripples out to local restaurants and attractions.
So what’s behind the surge? Justin McDonald, a professor at State College of Florida, points to global supply restrictions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, as a major factor. That’s a long way from the Suncoast, but it shows up in every fill-up from Bradenton to Venice. The big question now: does the Florida average hold at $4.19, or keep climbing? Where are you cutting back first — dining out, travel, or something else?
