Shawn Curtis uses his grocery purchases to earn points, which save him money on gas. But even with the discounts, the price to fill his tank is on the rise.

“With that rebate I think I paid $3 a gallon, which was pretty sweet. I never thought I’d say those words,” said Curtis, a New York resident who was visiting Jim Thorpe on Tuesday.

The national average price of a gallon of regular gasoline hit a record high for the fourth straight day on Tuesday - $4.17, according to AAA. The high prices came as President Joe Biden announced a ban on the import of Russian energy, including oil.

The average price in Pennsylvania was 14 cents higher, the 10th-highest in the nation.

Biden’s announcement got a lot of support from drivers out and about in Carbon County on Tuesday. But some added that his administration bears some responsibility.

Betty Wieczorek of Lehighton said that paying more for gas is worth it to oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“I don’t have to drive every day, but I would (pay) it anyway. It’s horrible, just seeing the kids being killed, for a madman,” she said.

Some said that the Biden administration should increase domestic oil production so the country imports less oil than it exports. The U.S. was a net exporter of oil before the pandemic, but production still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Steve Kresge of Franklin Township said that supporting Ukraine is worth paying more at the pump, but feels the U.S. should continue to invest in domestic oil production while looking to green energy for the future.

“I feel much more comfortable when we’re energy independent,” Kresge said.

Others blamed oil companies for profiting from the crisis.

Biden warned oil companies against excessive price increases in the wake of the ban on Russian oil.

“Another case of corporate greed is what it seems like,” said Anthony Arvin, a New York resident visiting Jim Thorpe.

Biden said in his speech that U.S. gasoline prices will go up even further. In Pennsylvania, the increase has been sharp. The average price in the commonwealth was 8 cents less on Monday, 56 cents less a week ago, 69 cents less a month ago, and $1.30 less a year ago.

Drivers have been coping with the increased gas prices in different ways.

Some families with multiple cars are leaving their larger vehicles at home. Debbie and Andy Waters were visiting Jim Thorpe from central New York on Tuesday. They said they left their Jeep at home and brought a small car which has less room, but better gas mileage.

“We brought the little Honda Civic, it’s way better on gas,” Debbie Waters said.

Those who commute to New Jersey know that crossing the bridge can save them money at the pump.

The average price in New Jersey was 4 cents less than Pennsylvania as of Tuesday.

Kim Siepe of Effort took the opportunity to fill up in New Jersey, like he did when he commuted there before his retirement.

Drivers in full-size pickups talked about consolidating trips to the grocery store. Meanwhile Elizabeth Kimmel, of Mahoning Township, who drives a tiny Chevrolet Spark, said her car doesn’t even have power locks, but it gets 40 mpg.

“It’s a little inconvenience for a lot of buck at the end of the month. I love it,” Kimmel said.