EL PASO, Texas -- When gasoline prices are as high as they are now, some of us have to think twice before taking a trip across town. But for some people, it's not a choice, it's a necessary.

Going to school for Sandra Villegas and Sherry Carmichael means driving close to 120 miles daily.

"I drive all the way from Radium Springs then I stop at Dona Ana to pick up Sherry, then from there, we go into Cruces and we find a meeting spot," said Villegas.

They study at Anamarc Educational Institute in Santa Teresa where carpooling is encouraged.

"It's a daily commute to Anamarc. It's 75 miles each way. I pick up my friends Diana. We do this to save gas," said Priscilla Carillo who lives in Horizon City.

Carillo carpools with other students from Horizon City. Carillo has three children and said if it wasn't for their carpool system, her money wouldn't go very far.

"School may not be a possibility for me if the prices keep going up," said Carillo.

The students said they're probably saving themselves hundreds of dollars a month carpooling, but still money is tight.

Some of the students at Anamarc said they buy gas at Rudy's Barbeque near Artcraft because it's a little cheaper than other gas stations in the area. But you know the country is on the brink of recession when you think gas at $3.69 is cheap.

"I definitely think we're in a recession. The wages aren't meeting. And people that go to school don't have the income coming in," said Carmichael.