Rising gas prices in El Paso are squeezing more than just commuters, with local food truck operators saying the spike is cutting into already-thin profit margins as they crisscross the city for events and catering.

Food truck owners and workers said the higher costs show up every time they fill up, especially for businesses that rely on fuel to tow trailers, run generators and travel to customers.

“Its been a lot with the gas prices. I’m basically paying double now just to get here,” said Catalina Onivas, a food truck owner. “Its changing from day to day.”

Jesus Lopez, a food truck worker, said the increases are taking a toll on local vendors who have to stay mobile. “It does effect local business a little bit more, just because we have to supply our trucks and going to events, catering it’s a big toll on us,” Lopez said.

According to AAA data, the average price for regular gas in El Paso is about $3.69 per gallon.

That is about 14 cents higher than the day before, when the average was $3.55.

A month ago, the average was $2.69.

Economists said global conflict between the Middle East and the U.S. is disrupting major oil routes and pushing prices higher.

One economist said, “Well, gasoline prices have gone up about 61 cents relative to where they were last week, or relative to where they were, say, 10 days ago.” The economist added, “The commodity markets reacted very quickly to the bad news.”

Some food truck operators said they are now spending about $100 to $150 a week on fuel to keep their trucks running.

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One vendor said, “We have a big truck, in order to carry everything and pull the truck we have to go searching store for store for prices,” and added they are paying “about 100 to 150 a week just on gas.”

Another vendor said the higher prices are limiting how far they are willing to travel: “Due to the fact it is way to high right now we will not go anywhere outside of 30 mile range at this point.”

Onivas said she has had to be more selective about which jobs to take. “With the gas I have to be more causue with the events I do witch ones I take and don’t take. Sometimes we don’t even get back the gas,” she said. “Its not fun for any of us right now. We are waisting a lot more money just on gas we don’t even know if we are going to make back.”

Experts said relief may not come soon. If prices continue to rise, some food truck owners said they may eventually have to pass those costs on to customers.

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