Spiking diesel gas prices impacting prices of everything we buy

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Gas prices are continuing to rise as the war in Iran persists, with prices up well over 60 cents from where they were a week ago, affecting costs for nearly everything consumers purchase in Fort Myers.

Crude oil prices have also increased, hitting more than $115 this morning before dropping slightly. For reference, the highest crude oil price was in July 2008, when it reached over $147 a barrel. The stock market took another hit today as well.

On average, many are now paying $3.79 a gallon for gasoline in Southwest Florida, while diesel prices are nearing $5. Those who drive trucks that require diesel fuel say this could ultimately affect everyone.

Gloria White from Fort Myers said, "Now it will cost more about $70 or $75," just to fill her pickup. She added, "Then I looked at that, and I said I'm glad I don't have diesel."

Antonio Madrid, who drives a diesel truck, said, "It stings a little bit, but the economy is always up and down, and it's just what you've got to live with." His pickup cost $132 to fill up Monday.

Diesel fuel powers the semitrucks delivering much of what consumers buy. Tim Vogler said, "That's also going to impact a lot of people, whether it's groceries, construction business or heavy equipment. They're going to start charging more."

Ryan Carter, CEO of Scotlynn Trucking, warned that the prices are affecting his Fort Myers-based company, which dispatches 7,000 shipments a week around the country. "It's the silent inflation that affects all of the products. Everything moves on diesel," Carter said.

Carter explained, "So coming across the country, you're looking at $1,000 on that shipment, which does get passed along." Each semi takes between $1,400 and $1,800 to fill up and gets between 5 and 7 miles per gallon, depending on its size. "It affects pricing for all of us in that every good that we buy at stores has fuel factored in per case and per pallet," Carter said.

While at the scene, prices jumped 20 cents for diesel, now at $5.19 a gallon along I-75 in Fort Myers, and industry analysts expect the prices to go even higher.

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