By: Richard L. Smith
Gas prices are climbing again across New Jersey, and if you’ve filled up recently, you probably didn’t need anyone to tell you that.
Yesterday, I stopped at my local station in Harrison and saw regular gas at $4.45 a gallon.
I decided to fill my tank only halfway because, like many people around Jersey, I’m beginning to feel the pinch.
Then I drove to Edison to do some research on a news story. By the time I looked at the dashboard again, watching that gas needle move toward a quarter tank was a reminder of just how expensive an ordinary day of driving has become.
And the numbers confirm what we're seeing.
According to AAA, regular gasoline in New Jersey is averaging approximately $4.42 per gallon. A year ago, it was about $3.15. That means Jersey drivers are paying roughly $1.27 more for every gallon than they were at this time last year.
Diesel may be an even bigger concern. New Jersey's average has climbed above $6.12 per gallon.
That matters even if you don't drive a diesel vehicle.
Trucks move groceries, clothing, building supplies and countless other products into and throughout New Jersey every day.
When transportation becomes more expensive, businesses can eventually face pressure to pass some of those higher costs along to consumers.
Reuters reports that the national average for diesel has surpassed $6 for the first time, with global supply disruptions contributing to the increase.
Oil prices have also surged amid continued conflict in the Middle East and other disruptions to global energy supplies.
President Donald Trump has said he expects the conflict with Iran could continue until after November's midterm elections and has predicted gasoline prices will fall significantly once the conflict ends.
But for New Jersey families trying to make it through September, October and into the holiday season, November can feel like a long way away.
And there is no guarantee that the end of an election, or even the end of a conflict, would cause prices at our neighborhood gas stations to suddenly plunge.
So what can we do?
For now, Jersey drivers may want to combine errands whenever possible, avoid unnecessary trips, keep tires properly inflated, remove unnecessary weight from vehicles and compare nearby gas prices before filling up.
Even small savings can begin to matter when regular gasoline is approaching $4.50 a gallon.
We've been through expensive gasoline before, but this latest increase is becoming concerning because fuel isn't simply another purchase.
For many New Jersey residents, driving is how we get to work, take our children to school, buy groceries and keep our businesses operating.
When the price at the pump rises, eventually we can feel it almost everywhere else.
If elevated prices remain with us into November and the holiday season, New Jersey families may have some difficult budgeting decisions ahead.
What do you think, Jersey? Are these gas prices beginning to change the way you drive, shop or spend?