PENNSYLVANIA — Rising gas prices are putting another strain on Pennsylvania workers, especially those who rely on their cars to get to work. For some, the cost of commuting has become so high that keeping a job can mean spending a large share of their paycheck just to get there. Some are even forced into major financial decisions, like relocation.

“We realized we were spending too much just getting to work,” said Sara, a resident of Center Valley, PA. “My husband and I ultimately sold our house and moved into an town house closer to our jobs because the gas and tolls were adding up. It was a huge decision, but we had to look at what we could actually afford, but with the cost of everything continuing to go up, we're still not saving any money. When the cost of getting to work starts shaping where you can live, that’s a problem.”

“I was working and earning a paycheck, but so much of it was going straight into my gas tank just to get to work,” said Andy, resident of Scranton. “I had to look at what I was actually bringing home after paying to get there. Eventually, I had to leave the job because I couldn’t afford the 70 miles-each-way commute. When you’re working hard and still can’t afford to get to work, you have to make a change.”

Pennsylvania gas prices have climbed above $4.50 per gallon. The increase comes as the United States continues military action involving Iran, with disruptions and uncertainty in global energy markets contributing to higher fuel costs. Higher gas prices affect more than what families spend at the pump. They can make it harder for workers to take jobs farther from home and increase the cost of transporting food and other goods.

“Transportation is a basic cost of working for millions of Pennsylvanians,” said Rachele Fortier, Executive Director of Affordable Pennsylvania. “When the cost of getting to work takes too much of a paycheck, people can be forced to make choices they should never have to make — including leaving a job they need because they cannot afford the drive.”

Read more: Rising Gas Prices Frustrate Voters. Trump says it’s an “inexpensive price to pay.”

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Read more: Why low-income Pennsylvanians are feeling the squeeze as gas prices rise

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Affordable Pennsylvania is a Pennsylvania organization focused on holding elected leaders accountable for the decisions they make and their impact on working families. We make sure Pennsylvanians have the facts about how federal policies and votes affect the cost of everyday life, including groceries, health care, child care, utilities and transportation.