By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch
Gasoline prices have been steadily climbing all summer, but they reached new heights Tuesday, including record high posted prices in Michigan City.
Shawn Virk, owner of Virk's City Mart, 1301 Franklin St., said his prices are governed by the price of crude.
"It depends on the crude oil and what it does. If the crude oil keeps going up, you have to go up," Virk said. "That where your price comes from."
Customers, said Virk, have been spending less inside the store and saving their money for gas.
"The people know it's not the retailer's fault," Virk said, adding that high prices are everywhere.
AAA Chicago spokeswoman Nicole Niemi said Tuesday, "The main reason is the price of crude oil set a record at $64 a barrel today."
Crude oil isn't the only reason for the soaring prices.
"The U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia has closed due to terrorist concerns," Niemi said.
Niemi said problems with refineries in the past week have also contributed to the high prices. One of those problems was a fire at Sunoco Inc. refinery in Philadelphia over the weekend.
"That has trimmed the gasoline output," Niemi said.
Posted prices in Michigan City Tuesday ranged from $2.39 to $2.55 for regular grade gasoline, with many having jumped from $2.39 to $2.49 a gallon from Monday to Tuesday. During the course of the day Virk's lowered the price from $2.49 to $2.39.
In Chesterton prices were at $2.59 a gallon at two stations on Indian Boundary Road.
According to AAA the current average for gasoline in Indiana is $2.346 for regular $2.523 for middle grade and $2.595 for premium. The average diesel price was $2.374. A month ago regular gas prices averaged $2.252. A year ago the average price for regular grade was $1.861.
Patrons of Virk's City Mart Tuesday concurred that the overall surge in gas prices this summer has been outrageous.
Leonard Kiner Jr., Michigan City, said he fills up only part of his car's gas tank.
"It keeps going up. We're going to have to go back to bicycles," Kiner said, adding that the soaring prices have cut his budget. "I can't go to half the places I want to go."
Kiner said he tries to shop around the city so he can find the cheapest gas.
"It think it's ridiculous," said Eric Vansickel, LaPorte. "Gas prices just shouldn't be that high with all the taxes that we pay. One day it's $2.15 and the next day it's $2.49."
Vansickel said the last time he filled up his van's gas tank to full was probably a month ago. At that time it cost him $40.
"I never fill it up. I get what I get while I'm here and I hope the gas prices will go down," Vansickel said. "I don't travel back and forth as much as I used to. I have to spend more money on gas instead of general everyday living."
Texas resident Mike Thomas, who came to Michigan City for a visit, said he thought the prices in the area were crazy.
"The gas prices out here in Michigan City are outrageous," Thomas said as he filled up his SUV. "These big trucks ... it takes $50 to fill up, but back in the day they used to charge $35."
Thomas said prices for regular grade were $1.75 in Texas.
In spite of the prices, cars are still on the road and people are still buying gas.
"In 2005 there has been a record number of people driving," the AAA's Niemi said. "While there are record high gas prices, we have record high numbers of drivers on the road. Conserving fuel is one of the main things you can do."
Niemi said proper car maintenance, including regular oil changes and making sure all four tires are properly inflated, can make a difference in gas mileage. Maintaining an even speed while driving on highways is also a good idea.
"You may want to try using your cruse control," Niemi said. "Don't make a lot of stops and starts."
Drivers should also avoid multiple trips and run errands, get groceries and gas all in one trip.
Copyright © 2005 The News-Dispatch