Every minute a commuter spends driving to campus adds up, in both time and gas. Many students at Central Connecticut State University commute to campus.  

Constant commuting not only impacts a student’s schedule and time but also wears out their vehicle and depletes their wallet with trips to the gas station weekly. Gas costs influence how often commuters can come to campus. 

There are 12 gas stations within a 1.5-mile radius of campus. Here are some of the prices as of Oct. 2: 

Central Gas, the closest to CCSU: $3.09.  

Sunoco, the most expensive: $3.16.  

Gulf on Farmington Avenue, the cheapest: $2.78.  

Cumberland Farms, with a membership: $2.92. 

CCSU student Leslie Melenciano has a 30-minute commute to get to campus four days a week. 

Melenciano explained her feelings about commuting.  

“Commuting sucks at times, and sometimes it doesn’t,” she said. “I think it depends on what I have going on in my personal life and my university life.” 

Melenciano spends about $40 a week on gas, an expense that adds up quickly.  

In addition to costly gas trips, she experiences the wear and tear on her vehicle.  

“Not only do I have more car troubles, but ever since I started attending this school, I always notice a new scratch or sometimes a new dent on my car,” she said.  

She said it is hard to justify the money she is spending on gas. 

“There’s nothing that can be done about it,” she said. “This is not a job where you can get reimbursed for gas or miles.” 

CCSU student Isaac Rodriguez has an hour-long commute to get to campus and shared his weekly gas spending. 

“The commute is two hours total, four times a week. I would say around $60; it depends on when [it was] last refilled,” said Rodriguez.  

Rodriguez said commuting affects his college experience. 

“[It] definitely does impact how long I can stay on campus, especially this semester, because my classes are pretty late,” he said. “If I lived closer, I would stay and socialize, but I’d rather get a head start on my drive.”

Many commuter students share this feeling, trading part of their college experience for the time spent in their cars. Gas prices constantly fluctuate, and filling up at the cheapest time can help save money by the end of the semester. 

Melenciano expresses the reality of getting gas.

“I feel indifferent about knowing gas prices because no matter what, I have to get gas,” she said.