“It sucks when you’re filling up. What are you going to do, not get gas?”

Those are the words of Dan Bradley, a flatbed truck driver from Pennsylvania, echoing the frustrations that many throughout the commonwealth—and the country—are currently feeling, as gas prices continue to rise due to the war with Iran.

Bradley said earlier this week that he’s felt rising prices for both his work and personal vehicles. 

According to motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped to over $3.88 on Thursday, up from $2.98 consumers were paying before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania hit $3.82 on Thursday, a spike of 70 cents since the war began.

Those are the highest prices drivers have seen at the pump in two and a half years.

Pennsylvania’s highest gas prices are in Philadelphia, where the average price is $3.95 a gallon, up from $3.60 a week ago. Fulton County has the lowest average cost, at $3.52 a gallon.

Time to sound off about your pain at the pump.

How are you dealing with the recent spike in gas prices?

“I’m lucky that I work remotely, so I don’t have to fill up as much. But my family travels a lot by car in the summer, so if this continues, we’re really going to feel it.”

— Ben C., East Norriton

“I’m driving less. Simple as that. It sucks, because I’ve had to cut back on trips to Philly and New Hope, for shopping and eating, etc. I love those places but right now, it’s too expensive to go as much as I’d like. I think if this drags on retailers, bars, and restaurants will feel the strain of people going out less due to the high gas cost.”

— Stephanie, Bucks County

“I have to drive less, and keep an eye out for the cheapest gas. An EV would be great, but the cost was just too high for me the last time I bought a car three years ago.”

— Erik Gainstrom, York County 

“We’re retired and downsized from two gas cars to one EV last year. It makes a big difference, especially right now.”

— Peg and Don T., Montgomeryville

“I’m thinking long and hard about how far I’m driving right now. Sticking to necessary trips like groceries and the doctor. Gas is just too expensive right now.”

— Mark P., Olyphant

Let us know how you’re being impacted by rising gas prices, and please tell us where you live.

Longwood Gardens (Visit Philadelphia)

With spring arriving tomorrow, it’s a good time to talk about tulips. 

During spring, gardens and farms across Pennsylvania celebrate tulip season (which generally runs from late March through mid May) with pick-your-own tulip days, festivals, and other events to celebrate the red, yellow, orange, purple, or pink, bell-shaped flower.

Our food and travel writer Kalena Thomhave has put together a list of some of the best places to enjoy tulips across the commonwealth this spring, like Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory, and Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, which is featuring tulip-related events throughout April.

• The lingering dispute in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security threatens to close some smaller airports if TSA agents continue to miss paychecks. Find out what it means for Erie International Airport in this story.

• More on the TSA staffing issues: Philadelphia International Airport has been forced to close several security checkpoints, leading to longer wait times for travelers. Get the details on what’s happening at PHL here.

• Singling out the town’s pride festivals and rainbow flags, Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano feels that Gettysburg is too focused on “political fashions of the moment” as America celebrates its 250th birthday. Here’s what else Mastriano had to say.

• PennDOT has reported residents in six counties are receiving scam text and email messages about traffic tickets. Here’s what you need to know about the scam.

• Lawmakers in Harrisburg are considering a bill that would allow Pennsylvanians to exempt the first $100,000 that would be subject to the state’s inheritance tax. Find out more about the measure here.

Our mission is to keep Pennsylvanians informed—from the hard news about rising gas prices, to the feelgood news about where to see tulips in the spring.

Our goal is to keep that news free and accessible to everyone. Your support makes that possible.

If you value local reporting and want to help keep the Keystone paywall-free, we hope you’ll consider contributing during our current Supporter Drive.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Sean Kitchen, Kalena Thomhave, the Associated Press, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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