WOOD COUNTY, Ohio — The Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting our wallets. Here in the United States, gas prices are already rising.
WTOL 11 caught up with northwest Ohioans filling up at local gas stations Friday.
"Not happy," Ray Rellinger said about his $50 price tag at the pump.
He wants policy changes in Washington to get prices back down.
"I'm doing fine, but it's an unnecessary burden. It's inflation and it doesn't have to be," Rellinger said.
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Russia controlling about 10 percent of the world's oil supply, GasBuddy is predicting the Great Lakes region, including Michigan and Ohio, will see 5- to 15-cent per-gallon increases almost immediately.
"These states exhibit price cycling, which makes predicting price movements a bit easier. The rest of the country is likely to see smaller, more incremental increases over the next one to two weeks," said Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy.
DeHaan also said that gas stations will transition to summer-blend fuel in the coming weeks and demand is usually higher in the spring and summer months, both of which also will drive up prices.
That means gas could hit $4 a gallon by April or May.
"At least I have a pretty gas-efficient car," said driver Fred Stone.
He filled up for $32. He says usually he pays less than $30.
He says higher costs will make it difficult to get to work and it means he might cut back on recreational trips.
"If prices go up, then I'm just not going to drive. One way or another. It just is what it is," Stone said.
GasBuddy reports the all-time record average for gas was $4.10 a gallon, set in 2008.
Experts predict we could eclipse that in May or June.
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