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Pocono News Section
Gas Prices Taking Toll on Drivers' Budgets
Gas Prices Taking Toll on Drivers' Budgets - Monday, January 11, 2010 at 5:30PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Jan 11, 2010 @ 05:30pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-
Gas prices are on the rise once again, and industry experts say there's no relief in sight. Drivers we spoke with say the upturn is taking a toll on their budgets.
At the Harvest Moon Plaza in Williamsport, gas prices have been rising steadily the past few weeks.
Asked about the prices, Cammella Fleming, of Williamsport, said, “It's crazy. It is too much, way too much."
Prices in and around Billtown hovered between $2.85 and $2.90 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline Monday.
And while it's not nearly the record high $4-a-gallon gas we saw in 2008, it is about one dollar per gallon more than this time last year, according to AAA.
Drivers say filling up keeps taking a bigger bite out of their income.
Fleming said, "We have to cut out some things. Can't buy extra stuff, or a magazine, or whatever. Something maybe that my child wants, I can't buy, because I have to have gas."
Matt Bacher, of Loyalsock, noted, "You can complain about it, but you really can't do much. I think Americans like their big cars and I don't think that's going to change for awhile."
Those who work at gas stations and convenience stores say there's a misconception that they control the costs.
Harvest Moon Plaza Store Manager Joyce Crawford explained, "It gets set by delivery and by the stock market. That's what determines what gas is going to go for. We press the buttons. We don't set your prices."
In fact, most gas stations make little to no profit selling gasoline, using it only as a means to get you into the store to buy other merchandise.
And at least at this point, experts say there's no end to the rising prices in sight.
Fleming joked, "I might be getting a bike to go to work."
Bacher added, "If they think they can keep getting more for it, they're going to keep going up."
Experts predict that the average price of gasoline at the pump will continue to rise to more than $3 per gallon by the end of winter.
Gas prices in Pennsylvania are currently about five cents higher than the national average.
You can go to for more information on where you can find cheap gas, and how to keep your car running at peak efficiency. | | |
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