Gas in the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice area jumped more than 12 cents overnight to an average of $4.22 per gallon Wednesday, according to AAA. Diesel hit $6.38, the highest average AAA has ever recorded for the local market.

Lakewood Ranch Drivers Feel Immediate Pinch

For Lakewood Ranch residents filling up along the Interstate 75 and State Road 70 corridors, the price jump adds real cost. A 15-gallon fill-up runs roughly $16 more than it did a year ago at the current local average, according to AAA's year-over-year data. Justin McDonald, an economist and professor at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, said restaurants and retailers in the area face a pullback as drivers redirect spending toward fuel.

Local Businesses Adjust to Rising Fuel Costs

K.T. Lee, owner of Bradenton Flower Shop, told WWSB that rising fuel costs hit his operation twice: the shop's delivery vans burn more money per route, and he compensates drivers who use personal vehicles. Lee said the shop adjusts delivery fees by ZIP code to offset fuel costs.

"It means that my payroll goes up because I compensate my drivers for their gas," Lee said. "So if the gas prices go up, that means that my payroll also goes up."

Prices Climb Steadily Over Past Month

The local average stood at $4.09 Tuesday. Prices are up about 37 cents from a month ago and more than $1.07 from a year ago, according to AAA data. Some stations are already above the average. Regular unleaded at a Wawa in Sarasota County was $4.39 Wednesday.

Regional Comparison Shows Local Prices Slightly Lower

Florida's statewide average reached $4.20 per gallon the same day. The Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice area remained slightly below nearby markets: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater averaged $4.23, and Fort Myers-Cape Coral averaged $4.26.

Diesel Prices Hit Record Levels Statewide

Diesel set a local record too. The $6.38 average is up nearly 55 cents from a week ago. Nationally, diesel crossed $6 per gallon for the first time around Sept. 11, according to GasBuddy data reported by Daily Sabah. Higher diesel prices raise freight and delivery costs for a wide range of consumer goods, the outlet reported.

Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Push Oil Higher

McDonald pointed to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as the primary driver. Vessel transits through the strait fell to single digits per day over the weekend of Sept. 13-14, according to Al Jazeera, far below the more than 100 daily transits before the U.S.-Iran conflict began in February. Brent crude rose to $107.82 a barrel Sept. 14.

Economic Impact Expected to Continue

McDonald said the spending pullback from higher gas prices tends to hit restaurants, hospitality and travel first. Those are the categories families cut when fuel eats into their budgets, he said. AAA has not issued a forecast for when prices might stabilize, and Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions remain unresolved.