Gas prices have local realtors rethinking their routes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Gas prices are creeping up and motorists have to put more forethought and planning into their errands.

One driver told 41 Action News she is racking up discounts at QuikTrip by using her Price Chopper card at the pump, while others are spending more time planning their drives.

Blake Nelson has been a realtor with Keller Williams for 13 years. The rise in gas prices has him planning his routes, in hopes of saving gas.

"We want to be very efficient in our routes, whether it's putting up signs, putting up fliers, delivering earnest deposit checks. And even when we take clients out, we find it an even bigger courtesy to take the clients in our car, it saves them on money," said Nelson.

A lot of metro drivers are being more careful about their commutes, and for good reason. Gasoline prices have risen about 50 cents a gallon since January. Right now, gas prices in the metro are between $3.59 and $3.79 a gallon for regular, which is just below the national average of $3.80 a gallon.

AAA says it’s too early to know how summer vacations will be affected, but they anticipate shorter vacations to closer destinations.