Apr 20, 2006 6:44 pm US/Eastern
Costly Gas Prices Force Drivers To Make Decisions
by Mary Stoker Smith
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
As gas prices painfully push toward the $3 mark,
CBS-3's Mary Stoker Smith tells us it's forcing families who depend on their cars to make tough decisions.
Melissa Cukler, says her family is being hit hard by rising gas prices.
Her vehicle is more like a shuttle, with four kids in school, she's dropping them off and picking them up from class; then, she takes them to after-school activities.
Cukler says that may change.
"It's starting to limit things I do. Yesterday, I put $10 in and didn't even get a quarter tank of gas, and if I want to go anywhere today, I'll have to put in more."
Melissa's certainly not alone. Mary Ellen Weber says she's now paying double what she paid just months ago.
"It used to cost me $25 every two weeks, now it's costing me $50-$55 dollars."
Michelle Davis says she had the same problem. Her solution? Trading in her SUV for something more "pump friendly."
"We definitely had to go with a smaller vehicle just for now, until we see some relief in sight, then hopefully we'll get a mini van," said Davis.
No trade in's for Gerry Austin. She says if gas prices continue to climb, her two kids will get to school the old fashioned way.
"I told my daughter earlier, we're going to start walking her to school."
Gas prices are expected to remain high for a while, but there is no telling how much they will rise.
CBS-3 is on the pump patrol. We want to help you find the cheapest gas in your area.
In Pennsylvania, you can pay $2.59 for regular at the Sunoco station at Easton and Ellis in Willow Grove.
And in New Jersey, regular is also $2.59 at the Sunoco along the Turnpike in Mount Laurel.
If you see cheap gas in your area, email me at
BobKelly@CBS3.com
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