Ashe Mountain Times

As gas prices push toward $4 a gallon, local commuters who leave town daily for work are beginning to feel the pain at the pump.

With an 11.6 percent unemployment rate in Ashe County, some job seekers have been forced to rely on work outside of the county.

Long commutes for area workers have become reality.

According to statistics by the county government, more than 7,500 citizens travel at least 15 minutes or more to a place of employment. The number of workers travelling 30 minutes or more is more than 3,500. And 867 people travel an hour more, not counting the drive home.

Cathy Hein, public relations manager for AAA Carolinas, said the anticipated fluctuation in fuel prices is tied to both domestic and international instability.

As diplomatic tensions with Iran become increasingly strained, higher gas prices at home may soon be a reality as Hein said the price per gallon could top $4 by May.

At least 20 percent of the world's oil supply travels through the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian leadership suspended petroleum exports to Britain and France earlier this week as debate on the nation's nuclear enrichment program escalates.

Closer to home, higher prices will hinge on American production as refineries are expected to cut back in anticipation of the manufacture of cleaner burning summer fuels, said Hein.

As of Monday morning, statewide prices registered at $3.65 a gallon, compared to $3.45 a month ago and $3.14 this time last year.

“We are probably looking at $4 by May, just in time for summer travel,” said Hein.

The $5 price realm is not out the question either, although it is too soon to speculate.

“It is hard to say, with what is happening overseas and the economy,” said Hein. “It still could stabilize.”

Region wide, North Carolina gas prices are “comparable to other states,” said Hein although Florida is posting higher prices.

For Byron Robinson of West Jefferson, a hit at the pump is only an inconvenience, although he does admit it “puts a damper on things” with only a part-timer's salary.

Robinson provides home and community services for a local autistic child.

“One of my main responsibilities is to help my kiddo become more involved in the community, which requires transportation,” said Robinson. “Luckily, I have a Ford Focus that gets pretty great gas mileages. However, with the hike in prices, I have had to cut down on the trips to Boone. We were going two times a week.”

While the hike in prices won't pose too much of a problem with his local responsibilities, Robinson said he is dreading the out-of-town trips that will put strain on his wallet.

“We do what we have to, you know, but I love my work and my agency,” said Robinson.

Jerry Ham, of West Jefferson, is a loan documentation specialist with Yadkin Valley Bank in Elkin. She drives a little more than 100 miles a day to and from work.

With current prices, she is spending around $72 a week to fill up her Subaru Legacy that gets 26 miles per gallon.

Ham said she will try some old and new driving tips, along with keeping up with routine maintenance, including checking the air in her tires regularly, to optimize fuel performance.

“I will probably experiment one week soon trying to keep my speed between 55-60 mph instead of 70-75 on I-77, which is suppose to improve gas mileage,” she said. “I plan to try different routes getting to work, comparing the mileage to see if there is any substantial differences.”