GARDEN CITY, NY (March 10, 2022) – A new driver survey from AAA finds that with the national average price for gasoline at an all-time high, Americans have reached a tipping point. Nearly 60 percent said they would make changes to their driving habits or lifestyle if gas prices rose to four dollars per gallon. We’re there. If gas prices were to reach five dollars, 75 percent said they would need to make changes.
Driving less was the preferred response to record gasoline prices with 80 percent choosing that option. Nearly a third (29 percent) of drivers ages 18 to 34, say they would carpool to save on gasoline. Only 11 percent of those over 35 would carpool. Those over 35 would rather combine errands and their commute to save gas, with 68 percent making that choice. More than 53 percent of the older drivers would reduce shopping or dining out to cope with high gasoline prices.
Looking ahead, 42 percent of those with summer travel plans said they would not make any changes despite the high price of gasoline.
A lot of drivers will be making changes as gasoline prices continue to soar. Today marks the all-time high for the national average and all tri-state gasoline price averages. Diesel fuel is also at national and local all-time highs. The national average for gasoline is 4.31 per gallon. Local prices range from a low of 4.37 in New Jersey to the highest in our region of 4.50 in the five boroughs of New York City. Diesel’s national average is 5.05. Locally, diesel is least expensive in Connecticut at 5.21 per gallon. New York City has the most expensive diesel fuel price at 5.41 per gallon.