Boaters Soaked By High Gas Prices
MINNETONKA, Minn. (WCCO) – Brooke Welch is out on Lake Minnetonka, enjoying a boat ride that's been months in the making.
"It's been a long winter, really cold so we are happy to be out on the water," Welch said.
Unfortunately for most boaters enjoying the weekend on water, gas prices in Minnesota are currently the third highest in the nation – right behind Alaska and Hawaii.
The temporary closing of two Minnesota refineries for cleaning has caused prices to explode throughout the Midwest.
At Tonka Bay Marina, gas is currently at $5.39 per gallon. And analysts expect prices to stay high in Minnesota through the Fourth of July.
"I think the hard part is you still have to get gas. I don't even look at it, just fill up the tank and go," Welch said. "Boat needs gas, or car needs gas. Gonna stop and get it. Doesn't stop us from doing what we need to do."
A new survey with BankRate.com shows 60 percent of Americans do cut back on other spending when gas prices go up.
