What Driving Habits Are You Changing Now That Gas Is So Expensive?

Now that President Donald Trump singlehandedly and shortsightedly decided to throw the entire global economy into a tailspin, gas prices everywhere are swelling to numbers we haven’t seen in years. Four years, to be exact, when the last gas fiasco that was caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent prices skyrocketing to a U.S. national average price of over $4.17 per gallon of regular gas. Thanks to the Unprecedented Events of the past decade or so, most of us already have experience with navigating painfully expensive fuel prices, so today we want to know, what driving habits are you changing now that gas is so expensive again?

As of Tuesday, when I was writing this, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. was $3.977 with no clear indications of prices falling anytime soon. Depending on where you live, though, that could mean prices upward of $5 per gallon for regular, not to mention the further gouging associated with fueling up with premium. Help your fellow Jalops save a few bucks at the pump by sharing your fuel crunch hacks in the comments below.

My advice is to avoid unnecessary journeys, as sad as that is for driving enthusiasts like you and me. Or at least be conscious of your route. I went for a hike this weekend, which was conveniently located just off of Angeles Crest Highway. As I was enjoying myself on this iconic twisting road, I realized how long it had been since I took my own car out for a spirited drive rather than one of the press cars I’m often living with. I was busy falling back in love with my car, when suddenly, I caught a glance of the gas gauge. How had I already used almost half of the tank I panic topped-off just before the war news hit gas prices? 

I ended up topping off again after my drive because prices aren’t getting any lower. Putting five gallons of premium into my car cost me $30, and that’s at my secret Shell station that’s usually significantly cheaper than all the others. I say the drive was still worth the $30, plus it got me to a spot that brought me a lot of peace, which was the goal. 

If you’re trying to save money, though, I recommend avoiding unnecessary trips where you can. If you are losing it and you just need to go drive somewhere like me, I might recommend avoiding your favorite roads. I tend to selectively forget about high gas prices and efficient driving when I drive on my favorite roads. What do you do in times like these? Share your tips and anecdotes in the comments section below.