Drivers in Charlotte County report seeing gas prices as high as $2.39 per gallon.

AAA says that beats out the national average of $2.32.

A spokesperson from AAA tells WINK-TV that the recent price hike has surprised analysts.

Many factors could have led to this increase, but AAA has identified price gouging as the best theory.

One gas station or company may have raised prices to tip off a chain reaction everywhere else.