Rising Gas Prices Taking Toll on Big Country Drivers

The national average for one gallon of unleaded gasoline is $3.62 while the state average is $3.54. This time a year ago, averages were $3.32 (nation) and $3.20 (Texas).

Gasoline prices are predicted to escalate dramatically before summer, with some estimates as high as $4.25 per gallon.

Many people around town have told vendors they fear prices could hit $5 per gallon.

Locally, the cost has risen about 25 cents per gallon since the beginning of the year.

Ryan Colvin, owner of Ryno Pest Control, said he isn't sure how rising fuel prices would affect his business. "A lot of it depends on how long the prices keep increasing," he said. "I'm sure if it's for any length of time it will affect everyone."

In its weekly release, AAA Texas reported Thursday that prices jumped another 7 cents, the ninth straight week with an increase

"I think as fuel prices rise, everyone is hurting and getting squeezed in all spectrums of daily life -- it's cutting into travel and household budgets," said lifetime Scurry County resident Roxanne Stoker. "We're paying more for food and supplies. It hurts not just families, but our farming community and businesses."

The most expensive gasoline in Texas is in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at $3.58. The least expensive is in Abilene at $3.37. In some areas of the state, gas prices have already topped $4 per gallon.

"I expect stations to increase prices as much as 5 to 20 cents per gallon by the conclusion of the weekend with some stations starting to raise prices immediately," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy. com's senior petroleum analyst.