Gas prices in Monroe County continue to rise

Rochester, New York – Gas prices across Monroe County raised in the past three weeks.

According to AAA, prices have spiked 23 cents in October alone. During the holiday travel season, it’s possible it could go up even more.

Mother of five, Shytrece Banks, was planning to take a road trip with her family this year, but the rise in gas prices is making her rethink. “I did want to take my kids somewhere special, you know. Traveling like maybe to New Jersey, maybe to the amusement park or something like that. But with the gas prices high like that, we are just going to try to wait it out,” said Banks.

The average price per gallon in Rochester is now $3.50, which is the highest in the area since 2014, AAA said.

According to Rochester resident, Doris Gross, she is paying nearly double to fill up her gas tank now than she did a few years ago. “It’s making a big difference. It’s costing me $45 bucks to fill up this little car,” said Gross.

According to experts, the sharp rise in the cost of crude oil and a nationwide shortage of truck drivers are major factors of the price spike. “This sharp increase in supply is tightening. The production of gasoline needs to meet this sudden demand,” said April Engram of AAA. “It’s just the good old supply and demand and getting the gasoline to the gas stations that we the consumers at the opposite end are feeling it at the pump,” she continues.

It could take months before prices stabilize. “It has been said that perhaps not till January, but again, it’s just one of those volatile situations that’s hard to put a finger on until some of the moving pieces move in a positive direction,” said Engram

Banks is hoping for some relief soon. “I’m hoping it goes down before the holidays because that’s affecting Christmas, it’s affecting what your pockets for the gifts and stuff you want to buy. It really is,” she said.

According to AAA experts, pump prices are expected to rise as long as crude oil prices remain high.

The average cost per barrel went up $10 just in the month of October, and there is no telling when we could see the prices go down.