PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Drivers across the Philadelphia region are facing sharp increases at the gas pump, with prices jumping nearly a dollar in just a month amid global conflict that has disrupted oil shipments.
At the Royal Farms in Ridley on Wednesday, Jay Park of Wilmington, Delaware, watched the numbers climb as he filled up his pickup truck. His total reached nearly $90 for about 22 gallons – roughly $20 more than the last time he fueled up just a week earlier.
“Gotta cut back somewhere else,” Park said. “You have to have gas to get to wherever you’re going.”
Gas prices have been rising almost daily since the start of the war with Iran on March 1, as oil shipments have been largely choked off.
According to AAA, gas cost about $3.03 a gallon on February 18 in the Philadelphia area. It has since climbed to about $3.89 a gallon, with no immediate sign of leveling off.
AAA spokesperson Jana Tidwell said prices could continue to rise in the coming days.
“We will likely see $4. It could happen in the overnight, it could happen in the next couple days,” Tidwell said. “But, whether we hit $5 or not, whether we break record highs, that’s all tied to the conflict in the Middle East.”
The region’s previous record average was $5.12 a gallon in June of 2022, a spike also blamed on global conflict – the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The rising costs are hitting commercial drivers especially hard. Jerry Fuller, who runs Jerry and Cherry Trucking, said the impact on his business has been dramatic.
“Something’s gotta give, this is ridiculous,” Fuller said.
Fuller’s truck holds about 200 gallons of diesel, and filling it now costs more than $800.
“To fill it up is over $800. Over $800. They should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
Because he refuels every other day to complete deliveries, Fuller said the higher costs are forcing him to raise prices for customers.
“We gotta pass it down to y’all, to the customer. I can’t take an extra $300 hit every time I fill up,” he said.
As prices continue to rise, drivers and business owners alike say they are preparing for further financial strain at the pump.
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