The national average gas price hit $5 for the first time ever Saturday, as New Yorkers grew heated over the prospect of a long, hot, expensive summer.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous! It’s absurd!” barked Mike Mastopiero of Staten Island.
The 24-year-old plumber said he’s now shelling out $100 to fill up his tank — about double what he was paying only months ago.
Vinny Paternoster, 31, a contractor, said he’s also spending a fortune driving to work, especially since his job isn’t mass-transit friendly.
“In the past week, I’ve spent close to $200,” he said while pumping gas. “Normally, I would spend closer to $100. I travel a lot. I go all over the place. I feel it in the pocket, definitely, and I need my car.”
Others, such as Heidy Constanco, 40, said rising gas prices are yet another example of the sagging economy leaving many Americans with empty pockets.
On Saturday, she spent $62.31 for nearly 12 gallons of gas, compared to $40 that she used to pay to fill up the tank of her SUV. She said she’s worried things will get much worse during the heat of July and August.
“And now with the heat, we have to have the A/C on,” said Constanco. “The gas is consumed much faster.”
The American Automobile Association reported Saturday that the average price for a regular gallon of gasoline hit $5.004, up 19 cents from just last week and $1.93 from this time last year. It served as another grim milestone as rampant inflation continues to punish consumers.
The summer months usually drive up gas prices as Americans typically start using vehicles more around Memorial Day weekend.
This year, oil prices are through the roof, which the White House has blamed on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and greedy oil companies that Team Biden accuses of gouging consumers at the pump, while Republicans put the fault squarely on President Biden and his policies.
California has the highest average price, at $6.43, according to AAA. New York is $5.03. The lowest average is Mississippi, at $4.52.
President Biden, speaking to reporters in New Mexico while touring wildfire damage, blamed soaring fuel costs squarely on the war in Ukraine.
”This is outrageous what the war in Ukraine has caused. And we’re trying very hard to make sure that we can significantly increase the number of barrels of oil that are being pumped out and was in reserve. We have. 240,000 barrels as well coming from other nations. We’re gonna keep pushing on it. Gonna keep pushing,” Biden said.
An Atlanta man traveling with family in Manhattan said he’s paying $600 now to fill up his RV — double what it cost a year ago.
“We gotta get a grip on the economy,” he said.
“You budget yourself in different ways so you can do what you gotta do. Personally I run a small business so it affects everything. Not only are gas prices up, our material prices and all other kinds of things are up.”
Bob Benjamin, who works at a Staten Island gas station, said he feels sorry for his customers.
“They complain to me, to other customers, to other employees, to themselves,” he said.
“I see the pain in their faces, but there’s nothing I can do. It is what it is. Sometimes I tell them I hope it gets better soon.”