A sharp rise in gasoline prices is forcing Americans to rethink their daily transportation habits, with many driving less, combining trips and searching for cheaper fuel, according to a recent survey.
About 81% of respondents said they had made at least one change to their daily routine because of higher transportation costs, the LendingTree Auto Transportation Costs Survey showed.
Donald Trump on Saturday warned Americans to prepare for continued high fuel prices as a result of the Iran war, an uncomfortable admission for a president who campaigned on lowering energy prices.
Persistently high pump prices above $4.00 a gallon are a risk for Trump's Republican Party, which will be campaigning to retain narrow majorities in both houses of Congress during November's midterm elections.
The average U.S. price for regular gasoline is more than $4.06 a gallon, according to motorist group AAA, up more than $1 per gallon from a year ago, or nearly 30% higher.
The most direct impact of higher gasoline prices is showing up in vehicle use.
About 20% of survey respondents said they were driving less than they did a year ago. Among those consumers, 64% said high gasoline prices were one of the main reasons for reducing their driving.
At the same time, not all Americans are cutting back. 34% said they were driving more than a year ago, with the share particularly high among younger consumers and families with children.
Among Gen Z respondents, 56% said they were driving more than they did a year earlier. The figure rose to 52% among parents with children under 18.
The figures suggest that higher gasoline prices are changing transportation behavior without eliminating the need to travel. Consumers who rely on cars for work, school and family responsibilities may continue driving despite higher costs.
Rising fuel costs are also prompting consumers to rethink how they organize their journeys.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they were trying to accomplish daily errands in fewer trips, combining activities such as shopping, work and school into single journeys.
Another 31% said they had generally reduced their vehicle use.
This suggests that prices are affecting not only how much fuel consumers purchase but also how they plan their time and transportation.
Price comparison is also becoming more common.
Twenty-eight percent of respondents said they had started looking for cheaper gas stations before filling up.
Some consumers have also abandoned certain trips, while others have postponed vehicle purchases or maintenance.
Such changes indicate that higher fuel costs can put indirect pressure on other areas of household spending as consumers adjust their budgets.
The increase in gasoline prices is contributing to higher overall transportation expenses.
Ten percent of respondents said they spend $1,000 or more per month on transportation.
Meanwhile, 30% reported monthly transportation expenses of less than $100, 26% spent between $100 and $249, 20% between $250 and $499, and 14% between $500 and $999.
The figures highlight the potentially significant impact of higher fuel costs on households that depend heavily on cars.
The survey also points to changes in vehicle-sharing habits.
About 68% of respondents said they regularly drive or have access to a vehicle, while 29% said they carpool roughly once a week.
Carpooling was particularly common among Gen Z respondents.
If fuel prices remain elevated, greater use of shared transportation could become a more lasting shift as consumers look for ways to reduce the cost of car ownership and travel.
