Apr 20, 2026
Do you cringe when you drive past gas stations and see high prices displayed on large, foreboding signs? Maybe you’ve even started driving around to find the cheapest option.
You’re not alone. Gas prices have spiked since the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran in late February. Brent crude, the primary benchmark for global oil prices, increased 33.82% from February 27, the day before the attacks, and April 15 (1). American families now spend 35% more to fill their gas tanks than on February 28 (2).
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Chevron executive Andy Walz told CBS (3) that as the conflict in the Middle East continues, Americans can save money by driving less.
The sentiment, drive less and save more, may sound simple, but the reality is more complicated. Walz’s advice is over-simplified and impractical for many families in the U.S.
Driving is necessary for many Americans
Walz’s comments suggest Americans should cut back on road trips or avoid unnecessary drives. But driving is an integral part of daily life for many people in the country.
As of 2024, according to the most recent data, U.S. workers who commute to the office travel an average of 27.2 minutes each way (4). About 9.3% spend at least an hour getting to work (5). For those employees, walking or cycling instead of driving isn’t a realistic option.
In 2024, just 3.7% of workers used public transit (6), such as subways, light rail or buses.
Many Americans don’t have access to public transit. Rural and suburban areas often lack reliable options. In many rural communities, driving is the most practical, if not the only way to get to work.
Roughly 5% of American workers use public transit (7). Switching from driving is most feasible in large cities. The Northeast has the highest share of transit users, followed by the West, the Midwest and the South.
And commuting is only part of the picture. Driving is often necessary for taking children to school, running errands or visiting family. It has become an essential part of modern life.
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Realistic ways to save money on gas
If giving up driving is not realistic, what can you do? Rising gas prices may feel unavoidable, but there are ways to cut costs.
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One option is carpooling. In 2024, about 69.2% of U.S. workers drove to work alone (8). If you live near a coworker, consider taking turns driving. If you can share rides with more people, the savings can add up.
Carpooling can also work for other routines. If a neighbor’s child attends the same school as yours, consider sharing pickup and drop-off duties. You could also coordinate grocery trips with a friend and take turns driving.
Another option is joining a fuel rewards program. If you regularly shop at a chain like Kroger, you can sign up for its loyalty program (9), scan your card when you shop and earn points for discounts at the pump for up to $1 off a gallon (10). These programs often include additional savings on groceries as well, so it’s a win-win.
Similar rewards programs are available through other chains, including Albertsons (11) and Harris Teeter (12). The trick is to shop consistently with the same brand to earn as many fuel points as possible.
There are a handful of ways to save on gas. Even if walking or public transit isn’t an option you aren’t without feeling powerless to push back against high gas prices.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Business Insider (1); U.S. Joint Economic Committee (2); CBS News (3); U.S. Census Bureau (4); U.S. Census Bureau (5); U.S. Census Bureau (6); U.S. Census Bureau (7); U.S. Census Bureau (8); Kroger (9); Kroger (10); Albertsons (11); Harris Teeter (12)
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Laura Grace Tarpley is a freelance journalist who has been working in digital media for 10 years. She focuses on personal finance topics, including banking, investing, retirement, loans, mortgages, and taxes. You can find her writing at TheStreet, Business Insider, The Penny Hoarder, and more.
