photo by: Courtesy: AAA Kansas

The “low fuel” light on the F150 was on, and my mind already had jumped to the logical solution for my predicament: I guess I’m driving the lawn mower to work. You see, the gas station I was at for my morning fill-up was completely out of gas.

I’ve heard from enough of you to know that you’ve experienced that a few times too in the last few weeks. I was at a Casey’s that particular morning — and ultimately found another station before I ran out of gas. I think other convenience store chains have had gasoline shortages as well, but I do know on Thursday that there were multiple Casey’s locations in Lawrence that were completely out of gasoline.

I checked in with a spokeswoman from Casey’s about the situation, and she didn’t provide many specifics as to the cause, but other sources in the gasoline industry are talking about the issue that is happening throughout parts of the midwest: There’s not a shortage of gasoline but there is a shortage of truck drivers to deliver the gasoline to the stations.

“There just is not enough of them as demand for gas has increased kind of suddenly,” Shawn Steward, a spokesman for AAA Kansas, told me.

As I noted, Casey’s didn’t get into any details about how much trouble the Iowa-based company is having in finding truck drivers to deliver fuel. But she did check with local managers in the area, who reported that supply issues had been resolved. Indeed, when I checked on Friday, the Casey’s on West Sixth Street had fuel again.

“We are optimistic about our ability to provide quality fuel to guests at our stores this holiday weekend,” Katie Petru, director of communications, said.  “It is important to understand there are many factors that impact availability and as people are resuming their summer travel and post-pandemic routines. Casey’s is working hard to keep our guests tanks full as they are out and about enjoying the holiday weekend. We appreciate our fuel team and drivers who are critical to Casey’s being able to serve our guests and communities each day.”

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World photo

The Casey’s convenience store on West Sixth Street was out of gasoline on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Shortages of fuel delivery drivers has led to gasoline stations having a hard time getting restocked, at times.

A recent CNBC report quoted an industry expert from GasBuddy who said some companies had let their truck drivers go during the pandemic as fuel sales plummeted as people stayed home. Now, according to the report, some companies are offering sign on bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000 for drivers who have the special license needed to haul fuel.

The CNBC report said the shortage of truck drivers shouldn’t do much to impact the price of gasoline, just its availability. Refineries reportedly are producing record amounts of gasoline this summer, which should help with supply issues.

•••

While we are at the gas station, we might as well get an update on fuel prices for the holiday weekend. (I might also get two dozen donuts and a handful of Slim Jims, if you don’t mind.)

The Kansas AAA fuel report has some good news for Lawrence but bad news for everybody. The good news is that Lawrence has one of the lowest average gasoline prices in the state as the holiday weekend begins.

The Friday average in Lawrence was $2.83 per gallon. That was the lowest of the metro areas in the state. Here’s a look:

• Lawrence: $2.83

• Kansas City, Kan.: $2.85

• Topeka: $2.87

• Wichita: $2.87

• Manhattan: $2.88

But don’t get too excited because, remember, I told you there was bad news for everybody. Lawrence is part of the everybody. Fuel prices across the board are way higher than they were a year ago. The Lawrence average a year ago was $2.03.

Of course, I didn’t drive anywhere for the Fourth of July last year. Steward, with AAA, said last year’s gasoline prices probably were artificially low. But still, gasoline can’t be labeled anywhere close to cheap this year.

“Nationwide, we’re seeing the highest gas prices since 2014,” he said.

There are two factors there: 1. People are ready to do something as pandemic restrictions are lifted. 2. Fewer people are choosing to travel by airplane.

Steward said more than 44 million people are expected to travel this holiday weekend, and 91% of them will be traveling by car. That adds up to high gasoline prices. But the AAA map shows you will catch a little bit of a break if you are heading south and east. Prices are lower there than to the north and to the west.