Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Gas prices continue to rise all across the United States, with the average price for a gallon of gas now averaging over $4.
As of Monday in Erie County, gas prices are averaging out at $4.22 per-gallon, with the Buffalo-Niagara Falls region hitting a record high $.30 per-gallon of regular unleaded fuel. Unfortunately, those prices are expected to continue to rapidly rise with no end in sight.
According to AAA, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to be the primary source of the rise in gas prices, contributing to the 45-cent increase in the national gas price average more than a week ago. The national average for a gallon of gas is 62 cents more than it was a month ago, and a whopping $1.30 more than a year ago.
"It's been kind of, I would say, shocking," said Allie of the gas prices in Western New York. "I remember when my tank used to be, in high school, $35 to fill, and now it's $60. So that's just been really crazy to see go up over the years, especially right now. Just a few months ago, it's gone up exponentially."
"I mean, it's painful, right? It's all money that comes out of your pocket, and it's expensive," Ross added of the gas prices. "I have to put 91 and 93 in my car, so yeah, I feel it. But I also understand what's driving it."
While prices of gas have been in the $4 per-gallon range in the past, the region has not seen prices surpass that average in some time. This surge in the gas prices, that saw a 14-cent increase from Thursday to Friday alone, has definitely shocked some local drives in Western New York.
"It's almost a little alarming," said Nick of the jump in prices. "Every single day I drive past a few gas stations, I look at the prices and they seem to change. There hasn't been very much consistency besides the fact that they're just continuing to rise."
"Definitely seems more prominent here," added local driver Amanda. "I've had a lot of people saying it's taking $100 to fill up a gas tank, which is insane. So my solution, sadly, is only fill it up halfway."
While many have attributed the sharp rise in gas prices to the conflict in Ukraine right now, there are others who still want more clarification as to what goes into the substantial spike in prices at the pumps.
"I think there needs to be better communication and transparency as to what is happening that is instilling these changes, and why that's happening," Allie believes. "I think people would have maybe more patience or understanding if we knew exactly what was going on. I mean, obviously, politics, the state of the world right now has a lot to do with it, but what exactly is happening that translates to gas prices increasing? So I think having more transparency would be helpful in dealing with it."
Meanwhile, given all that is going on in the world right now, others are, sadly, not surprised with the sharp increase in gas prices.
"I'll be honest, I wasn't shocked at all," Ross admitted. "I mean, when you get a major power like [Russia] invading Ukraine and they're a huge supplier of the world's oil, I expected it. I totally expected it, and I expect that as the summer comes and more people are on the road, it's going to go up even more."
As prices at the pumps are expected to climb more with the stark possibility of reaching the $5 per-gallon mark, some drivers may start to take extra measures to try and save some extra money in their bank accounts.
"Carpooling would definitely be the easiest," Nick said. "I know that if I get a group of people together, then everyone can chip in for gas. But travel plans for the future, whether that'd be vacation or for work, is going to make it very difficult."
One benefit the COVID-19 pandemic allowed people to do was allow more people the luxury of working from home and not having to congregate with people and potentially transmit the virus. With gas prices rising to record levels and likely beyond, it may lead to people continuing to work from home more often.
"I've been trying to work from home a little bit more, so it's not five days a week driving all the way [to work]," said local driver Mandy. "I live down in Depew, so going on the highway every single day, those those miles do add up. So every so often just being like, 'Hey, I'm just gonna work from home today.' Definitely trying to do that as much as possible."
Another way some people could look to try and save some money at the pumps in the coming weeks is by obtaining a gas card or joining a membership with certain gas stations. Depending on which gas station you go to, people may be able to save a certain total of money with every gallon of gas they purchase.
"I have definitely put thought into it," Mandy said when looking into the possibility of obtaining a gas card. "It's definitely interesting to see how these gas stations are doing it. Some they're turning into like debit cards, others you have to pay for a membership. Altogether, it changes depending on what they plan on doing. So I don't have one right now, but seeing the gas prices, I might in the future."
"It's something that I've definitely been considering more," Nick said in agreement. "I know that some places will start to offer membership discounts, whether it be for gas or for car washes, as well. It's something to definitely look into. I mean, that extra five cents, 10 cents or 15 cents that you might get off really starts to add up."
You can hear more from the local community on the sharp increase of gas prices in Western New York below:
