Chester County: Steep Gas Prices Matter

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — At the Mobil gas station on Valley Forge Road in Tredyffrin Township, patrons stopped by early Thursday morning to fill up to start the holiday weekend trip to the shore.

For those who own second homes at the shore, the gas prices aren’t a factor.

Nevertheless, most people, regardless of their status, are paying attention to the high costs and changing their approach to life.

Barbara Diamond, a professional event organizer, said she is mindful of gas expenses when working with clients who live long distances.

“You have to be mindful,” said the Chesterbrook resident. “You don’t want to charge your clients a lot for gas mileage.”

According to Gas Buddy, a Boston-based tech company that tracks gas prices, the cost of gas in the Norristown area for regular gas ranges from $4.85 to $5.56 a gallon.

Tik Tok videos of people getting worked up about prices at gas stations are popular.

A Souderton woman who stopped at the Exxon in King of Prussia said she watched the videos, and decided it was time to fill up to have enough gas to get through the holiday weekend.

Some locals stay home for fireworks

With gas prices skyrocking, Mike Skalecki won’t be going on his annual Fourth of July family vacation to the beaches at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

“We elected to stay home because of gas prices,” Skalecki said, after filling up his truck with $100 of diesel fuel at the Exxon on Germantown Pike, East Norriton.
“I am here for gas every four days. We are cutting back on everything. We are eating T-bone steaks instead of filet. We are shopping at less expensive stores. I recommend Aldi.”

Skalecki resides in Conshohocken and works as a contractor, driving his truck to jobs in the Philadelphia region.

He’s one of the regulars at the East Norriton Exxon.

Gideon Pilli, 43, an employee at the station, said business has been slow.

“People aren’t driving as much,” he said. “This is the highest gas prices I’ve ever seen. Sometimes people are stopping for gas every day and spending $15.”

He’s not seeing many locals stopping for gas to go to the Jersey shore for the weekend.
Miguel Rivera, 32, an East Norriton resident, said he is going to the shore for the weekend, but is not going as much as he normally would because of the high gas prices.