What's driving Florida gas prices?
Florida drivers pay $3.41 per gallon, almost exactly the national average. The state's tax burden is moderate (about 39 cents combined state and local), there is no state cap-and-trade or low-carbon fuel program, no state-specific fuel blend, and supply arrives by marine tanker from Gulf Coast refineries. Florida has no operating refineries of its own.
What you're paying for
State taxes and policy in Florida add an estimated $0.44 per gallon on top of the roughly $2.96 base cost (crude oil, distribution, and the federal excise tax) that every U.S. driver pays.
Against its neighbors
Amber line marks the U.S. average of $3.38.
Price over time
Florida U.S. average
Florida, explained
Why are Florida gas prices close to the national average?−
Florida has a moderate tax burden (about 39 cents per gallon combined state and local), no carbon programs, no state-specific fuel blend, and no federal RFG-area cities. Its prices run close to the national average. The state's main cost disadvantage is the absence of in-state refineries and the lack of pipeline access — all gasoline must arrive by marine tanker from Gulf Coast refineries, adding shipping costs that interior states avoid.
How much is the Florida gas tax?+
Florida's state excise tax on gasoline is 36.525 cents per gallon, plus a small inspection fee and a county-level tax that averages about 12 cents (varying by county). Combined with the 18.4-cent federal excise tax, total tax burden in Florida averages about 67 cents per gallon, near the national median.
Why does Florida have no refineries?+
No commercial refineries currently operate in Florida. The state's geology lacks significant crude oil deposits (Florida produces about 5,000 barrels per day, less than 0.1% of national production), and the long distance from major crude-supply pipelines has historically made refinery siting uneconomic. All Florida gasoline is imported, primarily by tanker from Gulf Coast refineries in Texas and Louisiana.
Why do Florida prices spike during hurricane season?+
Florida depends entirely on marine tanker delivery for gasoline. During hurricane warnings, the Coast Guard closes affected ports and tankers reroute or delay deliveries. With limited in-state storage, retail prices can rise 10 to 25 cents per gallon in the days surrounding a major storm. The 2024 hurricane season produced multiple such episodes.
Is Florida considering a low-carbon fuel standard?+
No active proposal. Florida has no state cap-and-trade, low-carbon fuel standard, or state-specific fuel blend requirement. The state's political environment has been consistently unified-Republican since 2011 and has not advanced carbon-pricing legislation. Our model projects Florida prices will continue to track the national average absent significant federal policy changes.
Why is Florida cheaper than New York if both lack refineries?+
Two main reasons. First, Florida's combined tax burden of about 39 cents per gallon is roughly 25 cents lower than New York's 64 cents. Second, Florida is closer to the Gulf Coast refining hub: tanker shipments from Texas and Louisiana cover shorter distances than the East Coast pipeline routes that supply New York. The supply-distance differential is small but persistent.