WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It's not if but when drivers will see $5 a gallon of gas. The price in South Florida is hovering just under $5, making it tough for anybody who drives for a living.
"We cover North Beach, South Beach Island. We cover all the way out to 25th Street," Jayme Thomas said.
Thomas delivers pizza for Goodfellas Pizza in Fort Pierce. She's a woman who hustles for her money.
"I drive maybe like two to three times a week," she said. "If it's really busy, it's, like, maybe anywhere from 70 to 100 miles a night."
With gas prices nearly $5, Thomas said she's seen the difference in how much it costs to fill up.
"Before I started delivering, I was putting at least $40 a week in my gas and now it's $60 a week," she said.
Gas prices are really sticking it to drivers. According to AAA, the national average is $4.67. In St. Lucie County, the average for a regular tank of gas is $4.64. In Palm Beach County it's $4.76, in Broward County it's $4.67 and in Miami-Dade County it's $4.64.
"They're ridiculous. Every day I come out here and they jump 20 to 30 cents a gallon," Peter Mathews said. "It's unbelievable."
Claudio Gomez is rethinking his car selection.
"When I bought the car in 2020, I filled it up with $40. Now (it's) $75," he said.
Richard FitzPatrick said he's more conscious of where he drives.
"You make a conscious effort as to where you're going and what you're doing," he said. "You want to make sure that you use it wisely, so to speak. No more frivolous trips."
AAA said many drivers have said they'll change the way they drive if a gallon of gas hits $5.
Thomas said $5 a gallon won't stop her from delivering pizzas.
"I just love it," she said.
AAA said nearly 35 million people hit the roads for Memorial Day, even though gas prices are high.