This guest post is provided by Michael Koploy. Koploy, an ERP Analyst at Software Advice, provides consumers with reviews and comparisons of transportation management software for Software Advice. The original post on this topic can be found here.

Businesses are successfully run on efficient transportation, and efficient transportation requires cheap gasoline to survive. When fuel costs rise, this affects many businesses' bottom lines. And while many businesses don't pass this on to consumers, this isn't the case for many commodities, including corn, rubber, aluminum, beef, wheat, and cotton, among others. All of these are easily outpacing inflation.

Let's take a look at the impact of rising fuel prices, from both a consumer and business standpoint. It doesn't just affect how much it takes to fill up.

Rising Gas Prices

The '79 oil crisis brought gas to close to $3.50 when adjusted for inflation. Funny that $3.50 gas today seems the norm...even "cheap," by some standards.

US Gasoline Prices vs World Gasoline Prices

In Mid-May, gasoline in Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sweeden, and Italy cost over twice the average US price.

Businesses are Raising Gas Prices In Response to Higher Fuel Costs

As fuel prices increase, so do the operating costs for businesses. In response, many are forced to raise their prices.

The "Trickle Down" is Leading to Rising Commodity Prices

The change in commodity prices from January 2010 to January 2011 is outpacing inflation - to put it mildly. See what I mean below.

PPI/CPI Inflation

To see the effect on the economy as a whole, just take a look at the indexes.

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