AAA: 'Perfect storm' causing gas price spike

MORRISVILLE, N.J. - July 17, 2013 (WPVI) -- Skyrocketing gas prices are making drivers think twice about filling up at the bump.

Turiya Mason, who was at the Shell station in Bordentown, said "It's just getting ridiculous! I mean, I don't know how people can afford to put gas in their cars. I'll be riding my bike pretty soon. It's just getting horrible."

Over the last week, gas prices in our area have gone up as much as 20 cents per gallon, to a local average of $3.73.

"That's outrageous, and now you're traveling and going on vacation and going to the shore, the pool. That's an unbelievable amount of money," said Debbie Brown of Chesterfield.

AAA calls it a 'perfect storm' caused by increased crude oil prices, lower supplies, higher summer demand and concerns about political instability in Egypt.

"Once you have political unrest people get nervous and then the speculation start and things change," said Tracy Noble of AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Salesman Ryan King of Virginia normally fills his hybrid for about $30. In Morrisville on Thursday he paid almost that for half a tank.

"It's about 40 cents cheaper, 45 cents cheaper in North Virginia area, DC area than it is here," King said.

AAA says be prepared because prices will continue to increase.

Get more Consumer News »

lifestyle, gas prices, consumer news

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•