Gas price hike grabs drivers' attention

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - It seems like every time you put gas in your tank, you have to dig a little deeper in your wallet.

It will cost you about $3.65 for a gallon of unleaded gas here in the Miami Valley.

That's 30 cents higher than the national average a week ago.

"I'm barely scraping by as it is," says Aaron Hanselman.

Like many others, Hanselman is feeling the pain at the pump.  He's a pizza delivery driver for Cousin Vinny's Pizza in West Carrollton.

"We get 5 percent compensation on our orders for all the orders that we take, for mileage.  And, other than that, we have free deliveries.  So, all the gas comes straight out of my pocket every time.  So, I just, rely on the tips from the customers," he explains.

So, higher gas prices means less profit for him.

Normally, gasoline prices don't rally until late February or early March.  Analysts say the early rise is due to several factors, including some refineries closing permanently or shutting down for maintenance and climbing crude oil prices.

Diesel fuel prices are also rising and Jet Express in Dayton is feeling the pinch at the pump.  The trucking company handles up to 400 loads per day.

"Next to labor, fuel costs are our second biggest expense.  So, that's why we go out their for pricing, to get the best price everyday when we buy fuel," comments Jet Express, Inc. President Kevin Burch.

And when diesel climbs, it means one thing for you: higher prices.

"We basically have one customer.  We get our weekly fuel surcharge and when that goes up, it's passed onto the consumer," says Jet Express, Inc. Vice President Roger Atkinson.

But, the company is doing its best to keep those costs down for you.

"We do fuel additives to improve our mile per gallon.  We do aerodynamics on the trucks and the trailers, the side skirting.  We do the low-resistance tires.  So, we do several things to improve fuel mileage for our fleet," explains Atkinson.

But, there is some bad news for drivers,  Experts say we may also hit all-time highs on gasoline prices later this year.