News Summary

HAMILTON – Gasoline prices surged to almost $3.60 a gallon for the first time Tuesday, fueled by record-breaking oil prices.

Gas prices floated between $3.55 and $3.59 at gas stations Tuesday, April 22, on High and Main streets in Hamilton.

"It's cutting into my budget. I don't know how I'm going to make it to work in the next week," said Hamilton resident Tamara Hodgkin. She purchased $7 in gas, which didn't buy her two gallons.

Gas prices spiked after light sweet crude reached a record $119.48 cents a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Traders said the increase stemmed from supply concerns that Russia will produce less oil this year and Scottish refinery workers will strike.

Sharonville resident Karen King, who works in Hamilton, said she saw $3.29 in Hamilton County early Tuesday and wished she had stopped.

She said that public transportation or renewable resources need to come into play soon.

"I wish there was a nice train or bus," King said.

The national average price for regular gasoline is up 23 percent from a year ago, according to AAA, the automobile club. Some analysts said area prices could hit $4 a gallon this summer, when demand is at a peak.

Jim Jones, who was driving home to Florida after visiting family in Ann Arbor, said gas prices in Ohio were comparable to what he'd seen traveling up and down the freeway.

"It's terrible what they are doing to us, but it's not like we have any options," Jones said. "Driving is still cheaper than flying, and the way airlines are going right now, driving is more reliable too."

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