Published: July 14, 2008 09:08 pm      

Pump prices alter everyday tasks

PRINCETON — New rounds of price shock had area residents wondering Monday how they can keep their vehicles running with gasoline prices pushing $4.11 a gallon.

Figures posted with the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report showed regular gas selling for an average of $4.10 in West Virginia and $4 in Virginia. Prices across the region stayed inside that range with prices going from $4.05 to as much as $4.23 a gallon in the Princeton area. In Bluefield, prices varied from $4.09 to $4.15 a gallon.

Across the border in Virginia, the cost of regular gas hovered at $4.04 in Richlands, Va. and $4.06 in Grundy, Va.

Yet, no matter where a person pumped gas, the pain was much the same. Chores, recreation and other matters that put cars on the road are now calculated carefully. People at the Mercer Mall said gas prices are definitely changing their habits.

“Well, when I go somewhere I make sure I get everything I need to get done with one trip,” said Linda Sheppard, 51, of Iaeger.

Once people figured trips mostly by time and distance, but now gasoline costs are figured into the equation, too.

“Yea, definitely,” said 19-year-old Anne Cline of Bland, Va. “To go 300 miles the price is $45.”

That mileage was in an SUV, she said. In a smaller Honda model, the cost of going that same distance was between $30 to $35. High prices have cut down impulse buying.

“If I see a shirt, I don’t get it,” Cline said.

Other residents were reducing the number of times they drive for any reason.

“I cut back driving a whole lot,” said Karen Burks, 53, of Green Valley. “I go shopping just once a week. I used to go two or three times a week.”

In many cases, paying for gasoline makes getting essentials even more difficult. For instance, Kelly Beachler, 27, of Bluefield had to keep prices in mind when considering the two little boys riding in her stroller.

“I have to put more into gas than diapers,” she said.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com