Yet, with Massachusetts gasoline prices skyrocketing, McGahey might need to consider alternate modes of transportation.
"The main reason I commute is to save money," McGahey said as he pumped gas Thursday morning into his Honda Civic at the Cumberland Farms at County and Wall streets in Attleboro.
"When gas prices are like this, it makes me wonder if it's worth it," he said.
Cumberland Farms, which usually has among the cheapest gasoline prices in the Attleboro area, was selling regular for $3.63 a gallon Thursday, up 8 cents from Monday's price of $3.55. Last week, the station was selling regular for $3.43. This week marks the 10th consecutive week of increases, according to AAA Southern New England.
For drivers like McGahey, the worst is yet to come.
A sharp increase in gas prices is expected to take place over the weekend, according to senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy.com.
"I expect stations to increase prices as much as 5 to 20 cents per gallon by the conclusion of the weekend, with some stations starting to raise prices immediately," DeHaan said.
The looming increase is attributed to problems with refineries, including one which caught fire, and continuing Mideast tensions - particularly with the nuclear stalemate with Iran.
According to analysts, gas prices are very high for this time of year. Costs tend to drop during winter months, increasing in the spring and summer. With prices already over $3.60 in some areas of Massachusetts, experts predict gas to hit record levels in upcoming months. This could mean over $4.25 a gallon.
For motorists like McGahey, a drastic increase in gas prices could mean less driving.
"I was already starting to consider public transportation, and that was before I knew prices were supposed to jump over the weekend," McGahey said. "There's no way I can afford to go through over a tank of gas a week with costs like that."
McGahey was not the only concerned motorist at the pumps.
"Car companies are trying to get you to buy a hybrid or a smaller car to save on gas," Judith Roark said. "In reality, no matter what kind of car you're driving, that kind of money is gonna add up."
Roark said her commute is only 15 minutes, but it takes her husband more than an hour to get to work.
"He drives a truck, a real gas-guzzler," Roark said. "I'm sure he's not going to be happy to hear about another increase."
Tana Reyes, who drives a Suburban, wasn't happy either.
"I don't even want to think about it," Reyes said, shaking her head. "This car eats gas. I fill it up and it's empty again. I'm definitely going to have to cut back on driving."
Reyes said gas prices might prevent her from seeing family in New Jersey this summer.
"My husband and I like to take our kids down during school vacations," she said. "With costs on the rise, that might not be affordable for us this year."
At the Shell station on South Avenue in Attleboro, regular was selling for $3.65 a gallon Thursday, up from $3.59 on Monday. Last week, it was at $3.53.
For more information about gas prices, visit MassachusettsGasPrices.com, operated by GasBuddy.
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