‘Just killing us’: At $1,100 for a tank of gas, truckers feel the pain at the pump

CHARLOTTE — A veteran trucker of 30 years filled up one of the tanks on his rigs, which was nearly $1,100 in gas, when he passed through Charlotte driving from Florida to Ohio.

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Truck drivers’ wallets are being hit especially hard as prices continue to skyrocket at the fuel pump.

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“All the money going in there,” truck driver Jose Fernandez told Channel 9 reporter Glenn Counts Tuesday at the Pilot Travel Center on Statesville Road in Charlotte.

Fernandez said it used to cost $600 to fill up a tank on his 18-wheeler. On Tuesday, he said it will cost him $3,600 in fuel to make the trip.

Fernandez said if fuel prices continue to increase, he may have to stop driving his truck.

News of the U.S. ban on imported Russian oil sent gasoline prices surging, with a gallon of regular selling for an average of $4.17 Tuesday.

The average price per gallon in North Carolina was $4.18.

“The prices are just killing us,” trucker Robert Baker said. “They really are.”

Baker, a 15-year veteran in the trucking industry, said gas prices are impacting his standard of living.

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“It’s a terrible feeling you’re out here busting your butt day and night, not even going home, seeing your family or anything,” Baker said. “And you’re not making anything to show for it.”

Joseph Flemming, of Dallas, Texas, said the price truckers must pay to fill up trickles down to the consumers.

“To be honest, the rates for the load that I do, I’m adding to it. The people I’m contracted with, they are raising the rates so it’s gonna affect the people, the consumers,” Flemming said. “I mean, it hurts.”

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Skyrocketing gas prices impact local rideshare, delivery drivers

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