The average price of gas in the U.S. climbed to a record high of $4.17 per gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA, surpassing the previous record of $4.11 in July 2008. Tuesday’s average represented an increase of about 72 cents from February 2020, including about 55 cents in the past week. On Tuesday, President Biden also announced a ban on importing Russian energy into the United States. 

The U.S. price of oil surged 26 percent last week to a little more than $24 per barrel, and data from AAA says Floridians are beginning to change their driving habits because of prices at the pump. To optimize fuel economy, AAA recommends taking the following steps:

• Maintain your vehicle
• Combine errands to limit drive time
• Shop around for the best gas prices
• Consider paying cash—some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card
• Remove excess weight in your vehicle
• Drive conservatively; aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy
• Enroll in fuel savings programs