'Gas prices are ridiculous': Gas prices getting higher and higher in River Valley
There was supposed to be rain Wednesday during the normal morning commute from Van Buren to Fort Smith for Jody Cantrell.
So Cantrell decided not to drive his motorcycle. He picked the Hummer instead.
With high gas prices advertised on the digital billboard outside the Shell station near Interstate 540 and Rogers Avenue, Cantrell wished he was on the motorcycle. There was no rain at all, just hot sunny skies.
"Gas prices are ridiculous," Cantrell said as he pumped the 32-gallon tank in the 2007 Hummer H2 until it was full.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded Wednesday in Arkansas was $4.19, AAA Arkansas reported. The national average was $4.67. The average price was $4.15 a gallon in Sebastian County.
Related: Looking for something to do close to River Valley this summer? Here's a list of what's coming up
From earlier this year: While gas prices soar across the country, Fort Smith remains below $4 a gallon
Nick Chabarria, spokesman for AAA in St. Louis confirmed Wednesday was a record-breaking day.
“The Arkansas gas prices hit a record today,” Chabarria said “Over the last couple of weeks, the statewide average for Arkansas has been setting records almost daily.”
The last time prices for gas were so high was in July 2008, the statewide average was $3.97.
There is plenty of gas at the stations, unlike 1973 when people lined up at pumps.
“We're not seeing supply issues like back in the 1970s,” Chabarria said.
Read this: Check out these six tips to survive inflation, save money on gas and groceries
"They're way higher than they should be. I work in Fort Smith. I live in Van Buren. It was supposed to rain today so I was going to drive this, (Hummer) opposed to my motorcycle because of the gas prices."
The price was $4.29 a gallon Wednesday for regular unleaded at the Shell station. He said he spent "well over $100."
The price per gallon of regular unleaded at the Citgo station at Rogers Avenue and 46th Street was also $4.29 Wednesday. A man pumping gas into a pickup did not want to give his name, but he said he remembered the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 that drove up prices. That was the last time he said he was so shocked at the pump, and that was back in the days gas jumped over 50 cents a gallon in a 70s era crisis.
At the Oakcrest Market at 5th Street and Garrison Avenue, regular unleaded was $4.26 with cash and $4.29 credit.
Christina Jones of Van Buren traded in her pickup not long ago for a smaller car. She worries about the gas price hikes.
"It's going to cause an uproar because you have families out here who can't afford the gas prices nowadays, and it makes times even harder," Jones said.
It cost her $80 to fill her 2022 Nissan Kicks.
"I had to trade in my Ford F-150 truck for a newer car and gas prices are still too high."
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Fort Smith drivers grappling with soaring gas prices
