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The pain at the pump is getting more severe.  The price in Quincy jumped 16 cents a gallon Tuesday morning.

By afternoon, most stations around town were advertising the new price.  We checked with a couple of businesses who rely a lot on gas to get their job done.

That's what you voted for in our KHQA Facebook Story of the Day.

20-year-old Clayton Cawthon works two part time jobs, both of which rely heavily on gas.  He owns his own grass cutting business, and he's a delivery person for Jimmy John's.  Because of the cool weather, he's delivering in his Ford Ranger pickup.  Normally, you'll find him zipping around town on a scooter, which he bought...

Cawthon says, "Mainly just to cut back on gas prices, so I don't have to spend as much money out of my tips."

And it's only going to get worse.  As you know, gas prices in Quincy have hovered around four dollars a gallon for a few weeks now.  AAA had predicted gas prices would go over four dollars a gallon about summertime during peak travel season.  Here we are on May third, and gas prices are already over four dollars a gallon in some places."

Higher prices in Illinois cause many to fill up across the river in West Quincy, including Allied Waste Services.  It's also more convenient for Allied Waste because its landfill is in Lewis County.  Bill Romans is the Division Manger and says high gas prices have really effected his business.

Romans says, "Last week, we hit a new high.  We had our first day of over $4000 in one day for fuel."

Not exactly a milestone to brag about.  Allied Waste has 24 route trucks that fill up everyday.  Those trucks are on the road about nine hours a day.

Romans says, "On an average day, we'll use just over 900 gallons of fuel or about $3500 at today's price."  And that has a direct effect on Allied's customers.

Romans says, "We have a fuel surcharge on our rates.  It fluctuates.  If the price goes up, the fuel fee goes up.  If it goes down, it goes down.  We feel that's a fair thing instead of just increasing your price when fuel goes up."

Back across the river, Clayton Cawthon is ready for another delivery.  Sure he stays warmer in his pickup over the scooter, but you have to wonder how he feels about the money he's spending on gas.

What does it cost to fill up your Ranger?

Cawthon says "I filled it up a week ago, and it was about $60."

And now the scooter?

Cawthon says, "Four dollars."

Allied Waste does have some rules that the driver goes by.

If they are away from the truck, it has to be turned off.

Also, the truck's computer will not let the truck idle for more than four minutes.

And some of the newer trucks have cleaner burning, more fuel efficient engines, and they have aluminum gas tanks and wheels.  Add that to the special tires, and it takes about a ton of weight off the trucks, which increase fuel efficiency.