MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS NEWS) – If you’re feeling a little emotional at the gas pump lately, you’re not alone – – and no, it’s not allergies. Just 75 days ago, drivers across Rutherford County, from Murfreesboro to Smyrna and La Vergne – were filling up regular unleaded for a cheerful $2.45 per gallon. Toss in a few grocery reward points, and some folks were practically celebrating in the parking lot like they’d just won the lottery.
Fast forward to today, and those same pumps now read an average of $4.06 per gallon. That’s a $1.61 jump for 87-octane, because apparently, inflation decided your commute needed a little extra drama. Rewards points? Cute. They now shave off just enough to keep the tears slightly blurred as you watch the total climb.
In nearby Shelbyville, drivers are seeing about $4.00 per gallon, while next door counties to the west are pushing $4.17, according to AAA. Then there’s Clay County, where prices have climbed to a state-high of $4.32 per gallon, a contest they can proudly say they won. Sure, a few places are sitting at $3.88, but calling that “cheap” now feels like calling a thunderstorm “a light drizzle.”…