The many woes of high gas prices
Increasing costs adversely affecting commuters, pizza delivery personnel
By Dominic Desmond, news editor
Posted on April 13, 2006

The national average price for unleaded gasoline has jumped about 33 cents since last month to about $2.69 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association.

AAA expects prices to increase 10 to 20 cents between now and Memorial Day if the price of crude oil rises above $70 per barrel.

Regardless of the price of gas now or down the road, people have to drive, and in some cases, have to deliver pizza.

Rich McDonough of Keezletown says he drives anywhere from 30 to 60 miles during his 10-hour shifts on weekend nights for Dave’s Taverna Express. McDonough is not paid per mile and must front the cost of gas himself. He said the gas prices are getting bad.

“Some customers seem to be tipping with that in mind,” he said. “But when you get stiffed, it’s pretty bad.”

JMU students and Harrisonburg residents shouldn’t be so concerned that they’ll have to pay extra for a slice of pizza, though.

Tom Davis, manager of Dave’s Express, said the rising gas prices would not necessarily affect pizza by the slice directly. Davis said transportation companies already tally gas into the overall cost when shipping foodstuffs.

Martha Mitchell, manager of public affairs for AAA mid-Atlantic division, believes these current gas prices can affect everything.

“Ingredients do have to get to the pizza store,” she said.

Some area residents are also feeling their wallets wear thin.

“It’s draining the pocket,” said Blue Ridge Community College freshman Seth Hendrick. “It’s affecting the economic system for me right now — you always see that kind of spike about this time.”

Hendrick said when he drives about 71 miles a day going from school to work, he has to fill up twice a week. “I’ve got no money for cigarettes, man.”

Currently, Virginia has the seventh-lowest average price for unleaded gasoline and is also toward the lower end in terms of a state gas tax, resting at 17.5 cents. Hawaii holds the highest fuel prices, resting at about $2.97 per gallon.

According to AAA, gas prices will continue to climb in the long term, but drivers can increase fuel economy by slowing down and by removing ski racks tops of cars to reduce drag.

But when McDonough’s car is filled with pizza from 10 different orders, he still has to drive. He doesn’t mind it, though. His music keeps him company.

“I get to get out of the restaurant,” he said. “I get to see what’s going on around downtown.”