U.S. drivers expect to pay at the pump

PRINCETON, N.J., May 10 (UPI) -- More than three-quarters of U.S. residents believe the gasoline price increase is permanent, a Gallup poll released Friday found.

The poll has been asking the same question during the past decade after every significant increase in gas prices. The percentage, 78 percent, who believe they will continue to pay high prices at the pump is the highest ever.

More than half of those surveyed said they expect the price to go up to at least $6 per gallon in the next five years. But only 19 percent are so pessimistic that they predict $10-a-gallon gas.

More than seven out of 10, 71 percent, said the high price of gas is causing them hardship, just under the 72 percent who answered that way following Hurricane Katrina -- when 62 percent of those surveyed predicted permanently high prices.