PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Central Pennsylvania drivers are feeling pain at the pump with prices at their highest point in months.
According to AAA, the current average for a gallon of fuel is $3.55 which is $0.21 more than a month ago and $0.12 above last week's prices. In York, prices were seen as high as $3.69.
"Valentine’s Day is in the past and we are not feeling that love anymore, especially at the gas pumps," said Doni Lee Spiegel, public relations manager for AAA Central Penn.
Experts say a combination of factors have been contributing to the price spike including a major temporary refinery shutdown in the mid-west and a cutback in oil production by OPEC.
"Any little thing can change gas prices pretty steeply as what we’re seeing right now," said Spiegel.
"People who follow those markets knew something like this was coming, but to consumers who are just driving around and are trying to focus on their day-to-day life, you can’t anticipate when [a price increase] will kick in, it just catches people so off guard because there’s no way to time it up and embrace for it," said Michael Butler, Mid-Atlantic executive director for the Consumer Energy Alliance. "For a lot of consumers in the Harrisburg area, this must seem like it’s totally out of the blue."
Terrence Berry lives in York and makes his living as a food delivery driver. He says the high prices have completely changed his business.
"Say I make $100 a day, I got to put an extra $20 in the tank," said Berry. "It’s a whole different ball game."
Experts expect OPEC to continue cutting oil supply at its June 1 meeting, and as travel ramps up as the temperature warms, they believe the high prices are here to stay.
"There are all these factors that are weighing into that and none of them look particularly promising for our gas prices domestically," said Butler. "In the very near term, I would expect for your wallet to keep taking a hit."
Experts advise drivers to do several small things to combat the rising prices, like ensuring full tire pressure, carpooling and lowering the weight of your car’s cargo.
"Overtime those things do save you a few cents," said Butler. "It can add up to some real money if you’re diligent about it."
Still, some drivers can’t help feeling the pinch, wishing they could avoid the higher prices completely.
"I feel like nowadays, everything is just high," said Berry. "You can’t avoid it, there’s nothing you can do about it."