Drivers feeling more pain at the pump as gas prices soar

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- In a single day gas prices shot up 27 cents, making the average gas price for unleaded fuel a shocking $4.15 per gallon.

The moment prices jumped up, drivers immediately went on the hunt for cheaper prices. People all across Michiana started hitting websites like Facebook and Tweeter -- typing, texting and calling loved ones to tell them where to fill up for less.

The buzz created a frenzy at a local gas station. People made a mad dash for the pumps, waiting over 15 minutes in long lines wrapped around the parking lot, just for the chance to get gas at $3.87 per gallon. 

In just and hour and half gas prices went from around 3.87 to $4.15 a gallon, but the Kroger gas station at the corner of McKinley Avenue and Hickory Road was the last raise its prices. So, word spread fast as drivers watched gas prices suddenly climb Tuesday evening. 

"Someone called me and said look at the gas prices. I couldn't believe, it had gone up to $4.15, it;s just ridiculous," says Julie Murphy.

Casey Grenert was just one of many who showed up to take advantage of the low gas prices at Kroger. "I was in Granger when it jumped to $4.15 and I checked GasBuddy on my phone and saw $3.87 and came straight to Kroger," says Grenert.

Grenert was surprised to see just how busy it was when she pulled up to the gas station. Grenert says she was surprised to by the long lines, but says it was worth the wait. 

"It's a mess because not only is there a line, but people keep cutting in line making it even more of a mess," says Murphy. Murphy is a traveling nurse and depends on gas in order to do her job everyday and says it's something she just cannot do without.

"I use quite a bit of gas everyday and with prices going higher it leaves you with less," says Murphy.

Now she and others are taking a closer look at their budgets in order to survive these rising prices at the pump. "I mean when you have to budget, you have to go week to week and ya know you can't really plan ahead sometimes," says Sean McLaughlin who was also battling the rush at Kroger.

Since February 27th, gas prices have steadily been on the rise -- going up 22 cents in just the past month. Unfortunately, it does not look like it is going to get better anytime soon.