LITTLE CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – Gas prices sitting at just under $4.50 a gallon for regular and $5.79 a gallon for diesel across northeast Wisconsin are putting pressure on drivers.
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“It’s putting a crunch in ours, and everyone’s budget,” Pat Tschimperle of Little Chute said. “And now it’s just up and up and up and where’s the line going to be drawn?”
Tischimperle travels across the state to referee and umpire sporting events, but now every mile comes with questions.
“It also makes the decision whether it is worth it for me to drive to Marinette or Wausau; the price of gas plays a role in that decision,” Tschimperle said.
Local businesses say they’re feeling the impacts as well, as LA Towing Company owner Larry Diges says he’s had to charge more for service, especially with the cost of diesel.
“It’s a hard thing for your profit margins; right now [diesel] is almost $6 a gallon,” Diges said. “We had to raise our prices for that, but not only has gas gone up, but also oil and parts too.”
AAA’s Director of Public Affairs, Nick Jarmusz, said there are multiple reasons for the increases, both locally and internationally.
“It’s the war in Iran and an increasing demand we see as the weather turns nicer and more people are driving,” AAA’s Director of Public Affairs Nick Jarmusz said.
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And Jarmusz says there may not be relief any time soon, even as the state eyes potentially record-breaking numbers.
“The statewide average is about 40 cents away from an all-time high,” Jarmusz said. “We could see that, but I think it’s safe to say we haven’t seen the highest prices of the year just yet.”
