Drivers start to cut back on gas as prices rise

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Soaring gas prices are starting to take a toll on American drivers.

Across the country, people are pumping less into the tank, reversing what had been a steady increase in demand for fuel. For five weeks in a row, they have bought less gas than they did a year ago.

Drivers bought about 2.4 million fewer gallons for the week of April 1, a 3.6 percent drop from last year, according to MasterCard SpendingPulse, which tracks the volume of gas sold at 140,000 service stations nationwide.

The last time Americans cut back so much was in December, when snowstorms forced people to stay home.

Before the decline, demand was increasing for two months. Some analysts had expected the trend to continue because the economic recovery was picking up, adding 216,000 jobs in March. Most analysts are sticking to forecasts of a high of $4 a gallon, though some have predicted $5.