LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Despite a hurricane in the northern Gulf of Mexico, drivers in Southwest Florida aren't really feeling the impacts of Hurricane Barry at the pump.
Normally, tropical systems cause some of the country's major gasoline refineries to shut down and drive prices even higher.
But AAA says average gas prices in Florida are down, and have been declining for more than a week.
Statewide, the average price of regular gasoline dropped from $2.66 a week ago to $2.62 on Monday. The Fort Myers/Cape Coral Market is down 3 cents over the last week, as is the Naples market. The Punta Gorda market average price has dropped 6 cents the last week and remains the cheapest metro market in Florida at $2.57.
However, nationwide the average price went up last week, from $2.75 to $2.79.
The oil price information service says Barry didn't interrupt much. Only one gulf refinery shut down during the storm.
