(25 NEWS) – Rising gas prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are hitting wallets hard in Central Illinois.

Some area stations in the area are well over four dollars. A BP in Morton is selling gas for about $4.20, and the trend was similar in Goodfield.

Some drivers traveling through the area say prices here are some of the highest they’ve seen.

“I was shocked when I saw what they were when I pulled up,” traveler Chris Hayes said. “I’m traveling, and this is the highest I’ve seen.”

“It hurts. I’m a single mother of three, and it gets hard,” Amanda Cordon said.

“You can’t really budget for your month because you never know what the price is gonna be,” Morton resident Brad Monroe said.

Local; businesses are also frustrated. Peoria Charter Coach operates a fleet of dozens of charter buses and is in full operation after the pandemic. President Bill Winkler says although the government has helped them stay afloat throughout the pandemic, he says they can’t raise prices any higher to cover rising gas costs.

“It just appears, the American public, we are getting hit hard too, and the government doesn’t want to do anything,” Winkler said. “It’s very frustrating, and I feel hopeless.”

Even with a bulk discount, Peoria Charter Coach is spending an extra $4,000 a week on gas than it was a month ago.

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