Gas Prices Are On The Rise, How Much Can Montanans Expect To Pay?

Well, this isn't good news.

For several weeks now, the fuel prices have been on the rise and it looks like there is no end to that anytime soon.  Of course, if you're anything like me, you long for the days of being able to fill up your vehicle for 40 bucks or under.

However, those days are gone and it doesn't look like they're going to return anytime soon.

My SUV holds roughly 21 gallons of fuel. The average gas price here in Montana right now according to AAA is right around 3.44 or so a gallon, which means I'm paying about 72 bucks for a tank of gas. That's still cheaper than the national average, which is 3.54 a gallon, but a whole lot more than we were paying a year ago.

The national average for regular gas last year was 2.66 a gallon. So, we're up 78 cents a gallon from last year, and that's just today's prices. With the news of Russia invading Ukraine, fuel prices will continue to rise, which means you and I will continue to pay more every time we fuel up.

According to USA Today, experts are predicting that gas prices could reach 4 dollars a gallon. Is anybody missing those mean tweets yet? (asking for a friend)

This certainly doesn't help folks here in Montana.  Many Montanans live in smaller towns and commute to the bigger towns for work.  It's common for these folks to drive an hour in total each day and 4 dollars a gallon is certainly not going to help them.  Throw in the fact of the ridiculous cost of housing in many Montana communities, and we've got ourselves a real problem here.

Oh, and don't forget about the rising costs of food and heating costs.

So, what can folks do about it? Yea, that's the tricky part, huh.  Well, I suppose you can complain.  You can refuse to drive or carpool with someone else.  You can vote for folks that are more inclined to think as you do. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like an easy fix. Although, I think we're all open to helpful suggestions.