A trip might be worth it if you live near the Ohio border, but Rink warned against the false economy of burning up 2 or 3 gallons to find a lower price. Detroit's prices are close to those in Canada, where heavy taxes have long induced residents to come across the border for cheaper Michigan gas. With gas prices escalating throughout the Detroit area with no end in sight, businesses that log lots of miles are passing costs on to customers or scaling back their territory. For the handful of Dy Dee Diaper customers in Canton and Plymouth, that meant the delivery van that usually takes away bad news dropped some off recently. Diapers Direct of Michigan, which drops off clean disposable diapers and doesn't look back, is also considering shrinking its territory.
Relief is months away.
One reason, industry experts said, is specialty summer gasolines. Michigan, with only one functional oil refinery, must rely upon outside sources to meet its gasoline needs. Suppliers who bring cheese and pepperoni are passing the higher cost of gas on to him, Matthews said, so he has little choice but to do the same. Not everyone sympathizes. People are offended delivery charges have gone up.