PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Drivers in Northeast Wisconsin are now paying, on average, around $4 for one gallon of regular unleaded gas, according to GasBuddy, and diesel prices are rising too.
That means local businesses are experiencing higher costs for shipping and delivery.
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, flower deliveries came to mind.
“We try to strategize our deliveries to make sure that we’re planning efficient routes and not doubling back on things, so we can be as efficient as possible. But yeah — it obviously costs more to fill up the tank every time,” said Nichole Campbell, owner of Petal Pusher.
Until Campbell can grow her own flowers this summer, she’s forced to import them from growers in other countries. That means more rising costs, as those flowers need to be flown to the United States and then trucked to her store.
“They’re really trying hard to balance that as best they can and not pass that on to us, so that we have to pass it onto our customers. Obviously, they only succeed if we succeed, so we’re all in this together,” said Campbell.
Campbell says Mother’s Day might actually bring some relief.
“Because we do have a higher volume of deliveries, in some ways, we’re able to be more efficient with the routes,” she said.
Others on the road are feeling the increased costs too, prompting a demand for more fuel-efficient hybrid options. Despite the higher cost, Bob Le Mieux from Le Mieux Toyota said there’s been a push in recent years to be less reliant on gas-powered vehicles.
“They sell every day, and it’s a big part of our business. As fast as they come in, we’re selling them,” said Le Mieux.
Kelly Blue Book compared 2026 Toyota Corolla gas and hybrid models and found it would take about three years for the savings on gas to cover the higher cost of the car.
“People are appreciating and trading up to the new technology to deliver better fuel economy. I think people are just being smart about what they do and try to maximize their value and maximize their dollars,” said Le Mieux.
With gas prices in Northeast Wisconsin at their highest level since a peak in 2022, families are feeling the impact in more ways than one.
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