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Business & Tech

Delivery Drivers Feel Pain at the Pump

Higher gas prices hit some local businesses in the pocketbook

Drivers and the small businesses that employ them are feeling a lot of pain at the gas pump and Northern Virginia is no exception.

According to AAA, the current national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.98. While the average for the entire state of Virginia is lower than that, gas stations in Northern Virginia are priced higher.

The most recent spike in oil prices can be attributed to unrest in Middle Eastern countries, but as summer approaches, experts say expect prices to continue climbing.  According to the U.S. Energy and Information Administration, fuel prices are up about 25 percent from 2010 and that could climb to 40 percent over last summer.

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Mosen, who preferred not to give his last name, owns Manginos Pizza, located at 9570 Burke Road.  As you might expect, when it comes to high gas prices, his heart really goes out to the men and women who deliver pizza.

“The drivers are having a hard time,” said Mosen.

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While this may not be directly tied to the increasingly expensive price of fuel, he has noticed that customers are a little less likely to leave drivers something extra.

“Customers are tipping less,” Mosen said.

Mosen says unfortunately, he feels his business has no recourse to combat the high price of gas.

“We can’t do anything about it.  We have the same delivery charge we’ve always had; we don’t want to lose customers,” Mosen said.

There are a few things you can do to keep your vehicle running at peak efficiency:

  • One simple measure is to make sure your tires are inflated to the optimal level.  According to cars.com and the EPA, this will increase your fuel efficiency by 3-4 percent. 
  • Driving slower, say 40-55 miles per hour, will also save fuel.
  • The same goes for cutting out engine revving acceleration.
  • According to cars.com, however, the old adage about filling up in the morning or evening when it’s cooler and the gas is denser is just a myth. Because gas tanks are stored 15 to 20 feet below the surface, fuel usually stays at a temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
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