Gas prices climb in Northeast Ohio, hitting drivers and small businesses

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (WOIO) - Gas prices in Northeast Ohio are climbing again, with the Akron metro area averaging $4.33 a gallon, according to AAA.

In Cuyahoga Falls, prices reached $4.47 a gallon, nearly $1.50 more than drivers paid at the same time last year.

In Summit County, the average rose from $3.99 just one week ago.

Ohio’s statewide average of $4.25 is nearly 20 cents above the national average, which AAA says is climbing again after falling for about a week.

For single mother Katie Whitman, the rising prices have forced difficult financial choices.

“I am a single mom, so all my money really goes to bills or my child and my tank and it’s a struggle,” Whitman said.

Whitman said she considered driving to Florida for a family trip to Disney this summer but was shocked when the found out that flying was the more affordable option.

“I was thinking about driving for a little, but thinking about renting a car, the gas for it, I was like flying would be better for my budget,” she said.

Local landscaper Eddie Fiocca said rising fuel costs are cutting into his bottom line daily.

“It cost me a lot more money every single day to run my business,” Fiocca said.

Fiocca said he spends more than $500 a month on gas and has raised his prices as a result, losing clients in the process.

“A lot of clients can’t afford my prices that I raised up, so I lost a couple clients. I lost money in my book and made it harder on them,” Fiocca said.

AAA says the national average is climbing again after falling for about a week.