AAA: Florida Gas Up 4 Cents a Gallon; Eurozone Solution Awaited

With demand up, gas prices in Florida ticked up an average of 4 cents a gallon in the past week.

The trend should continue through the end of the month.

But where prices are heading could depend heavily on the Eurozone.

AAA spokesperson Jessica Brady said talks of a potential solution to Europes debt crisis have tempered the rise.

But that could soon change.

"Until a final plan is reached by European leaders, it looks as if the market will continue to use 'talks' of a plan to hold onto any optimism that Europe's debt issues are nearing an end," Brady stated in a release. "Although crude prices have increased, they are doing so in very small increments, meaning there really isn't enough positive news in the market to give oil prices a major boost."

In Florida, an average gallon of regular gas cost $3.46 as the week began, up from $3.43 a week ago.

The national average is $3.46 a gallon, while in Georgia a gallon is selling for $3.41.

A month ago, a gallon averaged $3.50 in Florida. A year ago, a gallon cost $2.81 on average.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of crude sold for $87.40. The rate is 60 cents more than a week earlier.

"Retail gas prices continue to inch up as well although it looks like the rate of increase has started to slow," Brady stated. "Prices are likely to continue their upward trend through the remainder of October until news is released on whether or not agreements were made and a final plan presented for Europe's bailout."

Brady added that the upward momentum on oil prices is also due in part to an Energy Department report that showed U.S. fuel demand for diesel rose 2.5 percent in September.

U.S. inventories of crude oil fell by 4.7 million barrels to 333 million -- the lowest level since February of 2010.