Rising Gas Prices Hurt Many Poll Says

7-in-10 Americans say high fuel sosts causing families hardship By Jim Cardle Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. In seven states gas prices have passed July 2008s record of $4.11 a gallon. And now a new USA TODAY-Gallup Poll shows 21 of Americans say the impact is so dramatic their standard of living is jeopardized. More than half have made major changes to compensate for the higher prices ranging from shorter trips to cutting back on vacation travel.   As gas prices hover near $4 a gallon nearly 7-in-10 Americans say the high cost of fuel is causing financial hardship for their families. Scores of motorists say they have been forced to alter their driving habits. Nationally the price of a gallon of regular gasoline averages $3.96. Thats up 38 percent or $1.09 from levels a year ago.  The poll found widespread pessimism that gas prices will stop rising.

1. Just 9 say they believe prices have peaked for the year
2. 27 say they expect prices will jump 75 cents or more
3. Average price where consumers say prices will peak: $4.50 a gallon.
4. 54 say high prices are here to stay.

While consumers fretted about prices the recent sell-off in oil and other commodities continued Monday. Benchmark light sweet West Texas crude fell $2.28 to $97.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange while wholesale gasoline futures fell 14 cents to $2.93 a gallon down about 50 cents from their April highs. Tom Kloza chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service says gas prices may have peaked. He expects pump prices to drop 10 to 25 cents by Memorial Day weekend. Renewed unrest in Libya or the oil-rich Middle East could cause prices to spike but Kloza expects full-year prices to average $3.25. Yesnia Peiker a Federal Aviation Administration consultant used to commute 230 miles to Washington from home in Neptune N.J. twice a week. She has cut that to once a week and traded her Mercedes-Benz which ran on premium grade fuel for a compact Nissan Versa.

We had to take drastic measures Peiker 38 said Monday from an Interstate 95 rest stop near Newark Del. She said she feels as if consumers are being cheated by high fuel costs. Were the victims of circumstance but I dont necessarily understand what that circumstance is she said.

Kristi Newmeyer Jenkins 36 of Cape Coral Fla. said her family will forgo a summer trip to visit family and friends up north. Instead she says well do one-tank trips. Two days a week she and her husband Jim carpool to the Catholic church where they both work. On Friday her weekday off I try to go only places I can walk she said. The couples car and truck get fair gas mileage she said. Unless gas prices skyrocket they will keep both vehicles.

Until gas is over $5 a gallon and we pay off our current cars I cant see us buying more fuel-efficient vehicles she said.