By Angus Loten, Inc.com

Record-high gas prices are taking a toll on smaller businesses, with many passing along higher costs to customers.

In a recent nationwide survey of more than 1,000 small-business owners by Discover, 75 percent said rising gas prices were cutting into profits. Gas prices make up a larger portion of expenses for smaller businesses, according to Sastry Rachakonda, the director of Discover’s business credit card.