HOUSTON — Gas prices are up again this month after dropping more than $1 per gallon over the summer. And those rising pump prices are hurting everyone, especially if your vehicle needs premium gas or diesel fuel.
Just when we were enjoying a break from $4 and $5 a gallon gas, those prices are marching northward again this month.
Saudi Arabia’s plan to cut its supplies to the global economy by 100,000 barrels per day is expected to push pump prices even higher in the coming weeks.
It's even worse if you require premium or diesel. Scott Dallis cringes every time he pulls up to the pump these days.
This home builder's pickup requires diesel fuel which in some cases is now $2 higher than the price of gasoline.
“At the pumps, I am paying probably $2 more than what regular gas in, and typically it was 45 or 50 cents," he said.
He needs his GMC truck to shuttle between home construction sites he supervises, but he says a fill-up is now costing, "probably $180. $180 to fill it up."
He said he remembers when diesel fuel was actually cheaper than gasoline, and people would buy diesel cars to save money on gas.
Then the price was the same, or 25 cents more, but says he's never seen a price spread like he sees today.
If your car needs premium gas, watch out as well. Regular, midgrade, and premium gas used to be 10 or 20 cents apart. However, now premium can be as much as $1 more than regular. Bad news if you are driving a European car that requires it.
So you don't use diesel or premium? You are not off the hook. Dallis said high diesel prices are going to cost you too if you need to hire a contractor for any sort of home project.
"I’m getting dinged with fuel surcharges from gravel, lumber, drywall, cabinetry, doors...," he said.
Those rising fuel prices are all being passed along, even to grocery store prices. As always don’t waste your money.