Folks may soon have to dig deeper in their pockets to fill up their tanks, as industry experts are predicting that fuel will be $4 or more per gallon by May.
That's more than 50 cents higher than Tuesday's national average of $3.48 for a gallon of regular fuel and Ohio's average of $3.42 for a gallon of regular fuel. A gallon of regular fuel averaged $3.53 in Marietta Tuesday, according to AAA.
The Oil Price Information Service is among the organizations saying gas will spike. It provides information related to petroleum pricing and news information.
Marietta College petroleum engineering professor Bob Chase said a possible Israeli military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities could be prompting the predictions of $4 and higher gasoline.
"If there's a strike on those facilities, Iran is likely to do something in retaliation ... then you'll see tanker traffic slow and oil prices jump significantly," Chase said.
The U.S. has placed sanctions on Iran in an effort to persuade the country to back off what the West contends is a drive to build a nuclear bomb. The U.S. and its allies are arguing that Israel should hold off on any military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities to allow more time for the sanctions to work.
Still, Chase pointed out that it's normal for gas prices to spike after the winter months.
"It always goes up during the summer driving season because there's higher demand for gasoline," he said.
Local residents, business owners and school officials say they will feel the pinch if gas spikes to $4 or more a gallon.
"That's ridiculous," said Marietta resident Barbara Heeter, 25. "I drive my son back and forth to school and we have family 12 miles different ways. I miss gas being $1.80 a gallon."
Still, Heeter said she won't cut down on traveling if gas does go as high as predicted.
"I have three kids - 4, 2 and 4 months - so I do a lot of traveling and a lot of doctor's appointments," she said.
If gas prices spike dramatically, school districts will be shelling out more to transport kids to school on buses.
Marietta City Schools treasurer Matt Reed said if more money has to be spent on gas, the district may have to cut elsewhere.
"Obviously we're not going to say we need $50,000 worth of diesel so we have to cut a teacher, but supplies and things of that nature would have to be cut back to accommodate that cost," he said.
He added that the district has budgeted $165,000 for fuel for the period that began on July 1, 2011 and ends June 30.
"About 90 percent of what is budgeted is for diesel," Reed said.
Businesses would also be greatly impacted by a significant increase in gas prices, especially those who do deliveries.
"It's not going to be pleasant but it's been $4 before," said Bill Peoples, owner of Two Peas in Pod florist on Front Street in Marietta. "At that time we had to adjust the delivery fees a little bit, but we will absorb it this time and hopefully it won't be long lasting."
The highest recorded national average price for regular fuel was $4.11 on July 17, 2008, according to AAA. Ohio's highest recorded average price for regular fuel was $4.15 on May 4, 2011, while Marietta's highest recorded average price was $4.14 on May 10, 2011.
Wingett Run resident Sonny Murphy, 65, said he strongly believes gasoline will cost that much again by May.
"It shouldn't but I think it will," he said. "It's stupid - there's no excuse for it."
Sam Skinner, owner of Dough Boyz Pizzeria in Beverly and Devola, said if gas prices skyrocket, he will have to increase the amount he pays his delivery drivers.
"It's going to cost more for the drivers to deliver the pizza," he said. "If it goes on for an extended period of four months, then you'll probably see some increases in the pizza."
