Shippensburg University students can expect their gas budgets to increase as Pennsylvania gas prices near $3 per gallon. This makes Pennsylvania gas one of the most expensive on the east coast, and it is expected to keep increasing.

Commuter and resident students are experiencing “pain at the pump” as regular gas averages at $2.82 per gallon in Cumberland County, while they average at $2.87 in Franklin County, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). 

Neighboring states, such as Maryland, have a cheaper price per gallon compared to Pennsylvania. The average price of gas in Maryland is $2.69 per gallon­ — much less than in Shippensburg. The AAA reports that the cheapest price of gas on the east coast can be found in South Carolina, where it averages to $2.41 per gallon. 

With summer break well underway, many students are attending road trips and planning their summer vacations, however, it is likely that no college student wants to break their piggy bank due to the costs of gas. 

According to GasBuddy, an online resource to help people budget their gas expenses and find the cheapest local gas, Pennsylvania is ranked tenth nationally for having the most expensive gas. The Pennsylvania average hit a summer-time low in June at around $2.80 per gallon, but increased after that in July. 

But it is not just the price of gas that makes it so expensive. Pennsylvania has the highest national gas tax. The American Petroleum Institute ranked Pennsylvania as No. 1 in the nation, with its gas tax adding an additional 58.7 cents per gallon of gas. 

Shippensburg residents who drive less fuel-efficient cars or diesel vehicles are the ones who are being affected most. Diesel prices avreage $3.39 per gallon in Shippensburg.

There are ways to save on gas money, however. One is to drive at a steady pace and to follow the speed limit. Going over the speed limit will not only guarantee a ticket, but it will also decrease the vehicles fuel consumption.

The vehicle's maintenance also feeds into the fuel preservation and, if properly maintained, can offer better gas mileage. Making sure the tires are properly inflated and at the correct PSI (pounds per square inch) can increase the tires longevity and reduce friction, increasing gas mileage.

Bad gas mileage can also be a result of dirty or poor quality motor oil. Dirty oil requires the engine to burn more gas due to the created friction. YourMechanic, a certified online service that sends mechanics to those in need, recommends that vehicles receive frequent oil changes, usually every 3,000 to 5,000 miles to promote the vehicles longevity.

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