Gas prices have surged to over $3.40 at some stations Gordon County, cutting into grocery money and travel plans for some local residents.

The statewide average for regular unleaded gas was $3.40 per gallon for regular unleaded gas Friday, according to Gasbuddy.com. A year ago it was $2.62 a gallon.

Motorist George Bray filled up at Hi-Tech Fuel on West Line Street Friday morning, where gas was $3.42 for regular unleaded.

“Three and four dollars is ridiculous. I don’t see how people drive now,” he said.

Filling up his sedan now costs him $50, Bray said. He said that he would like to see gas prices at a more reasonable price - around a $1.89 a gallon.

Calhoun resident Tammie Barnett, filling up at Kroger gas station, where gas was $3.42 for regular unleaded Fri-day morning, described the prices as “ridiculous.”

“It’s just awful,” she said, after paying almost $70 to fill up her 97’ model Mercury with unleaded gasoline.

Barnett said she must do without food go pay for gas and right now traveling outside of the area is out of the question.

“I can’t go anywhere right now, unless it’s an emergency,” Barnett said. “Gas prices are too high.”

With gas prices expected to rise this summer, local resident Jerry Smith said that it might cut into vacation travel.

“It’s affecting my travel plans. I must be careful, diligent and must weigh it out carefully,” he said.

Smith said his vehicle gets around 20 miles to the gallon, but the problem is the space between locations.

In particular, he said he would like to visit his grandson in Thomasville, Fla. and see his granddaughter, who recently had a baby, in Nashville, Tenn.

While he still plans on visiting his grandkids, the visits may not be as frequent.

And somewhere down the road, Smith said he might look into trading in his vehicle.

“Gas mileage will determine whether or not I trade in cars,” he said.

Some gas analysts are blaming turmoil in the Middle East for the rise in prices.

“Oil prices shot as high as $103 a barrel recently, as chaos in Libya disrupted crude supplies from the OPEC nation, and traders worried instability could spread to other oil-rich countries in the Middle East,” according to an Associated Press report.

Visit www.gasbuddy.com to find out local gas prices.