Rising prices at the pump have left many U.S. consumers wary. Gas prices in the United States passed an average of $4 per gallon last week, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continued to disrupt the global oil supply. To learn more about how this is impacting household behaviors and budgets, Numerator fielded a Verified Voices survey on April 2nd to over 1,000 vehicle owners who made a purchase in the gas & convenience channel in March.
Key Impacts of March 2026 Gas Prices
- 95% of drivers said gas prices in their area increased last month
- 93% looked for ways to save money on their gas purchases
- 78% tried to reduce the amount of gas they used
- 61% said rising gas prices impacted their ability to afford other everyday expenses
- 73% have cut back on other spending due to rising gas prices
Current Conditions
Have consumers noticed rising gas prices?
Gas prices are a key reference point for many Americans when it comes to affordability, with 66% of drivers filling up their tanks at least once a week. Nearly every driver in our survey reported higher gas prices in their area—78% said prices rose significantly in the past month, and another 17% said they noticed a slight increase. In line with other national figures, the bulk of drivers (46%) reported gas prices between $3.50 and $3.99 per gallon in their area, with a third (32%) reporting prices of $4.00 or more. Urban drivers and those living in the Western U.S. were more likely to report prices over $4.00 a gallon (49% and 80%, respectively).
How are higher gas prices impacting other household spending?
61% of drivers said rising gas prices have moderately or significantly impacted their ability to afford other expenses in the past month. This impact is more pronounced among low income households (73%) and those in areas with higher gas prices, like the Western U.S. (72%). 73% of drivers say that higher gas prices have resulted in them cutting spending from other categories, including dining out/takeout (43%), travel (30%), and entertainment (29%). While discretionary categories saw the most pull-back, about a quarter of drivers also cut spending on everyday items like groceries (28%) and household goods (24%).
The Path Forward
What are drivers doing to save money on gas?
In the past month, 93% of drivers looked for ways to save money at the pump. The top methods included using gas station loyalty programs or apps (45%), choosing gas stations based on price rather than convenience (36%), filling up at lower-priced locations like club stores (32%), and redeeming grocery or retail fuel points (26%). Despite feeling the impact of rising gas prices more significantly, low income drivers were less likely to engage in many of these savings methods. However, they were more likely than other groups to switch to lower-priced fuel grades (6%) or to put less gas in the tank at a time (18%). This suggests a need to prioritize lower absolute price per fill-up occasion, rather than long-term savings strategies.
In addition to saving on gas purchases, 78% of drivers are also trying to reduce the amount of gas they use overall. The most common tactics include combining trips (36%), driving less overall (35%), avoiding non-essential trips (31%), adjusting driving habits to be more fuel-efficient (20%), and delaying or cancelling longer driving trips (15%). 11% of urban drivers are relying more on public transit, biking or walking, and 9% of high income drivers are working from home or reducing commuting days.
Down The Road
How will rising gas prices impact future consumer spending?
Looking ahead, 47% of drivers say they’re concerned about their ability to afford gas in the next few months. Most drivers believe gas prices will continue to rise—nearly two-thirds (64%) think April gas prices will be somewhat or significantly higher than March. If prices do rise, 86% of drivers say they’ll consider pulling spending from other areas. Intended pull-backs mirror categories already reported for current cuts, like dining out/takeout (58%), travel (46%), and entertainment (46%).
On the opposite end of the spectrum, rising gas prices have the potential to increase spending in an adjacent area: fuel-efficient vehicles. 23% of drivers say that if gas prices continue to increase over the next few months, they’d consider purchasing a new or used vehicle with lower fuel costs. Hybrid vehicles receive the most consideration (12%), followed by gas-powered vehicles with better fuel efficiency (10%), and electric vehicles (5%).
What worries do consumers have regarding gas prices or the gas market?
Beyond what they’re paying at the pump, many drivers are concerned about the broader implications of high gas prices. They are worried about how gas prices will impact the cost of other products and services, including everyday goods (56%), utilities (49%), shipping & delivery (41%), and travel (41%). They’re also concerned about not being able to drive as much as they’d like (31%), possible gas shortages or limited availability (31%), and having to cancel or delay plans (29%).
Looking Ahead
How can businesses prepare for the impact of rising gas prices?
In uncertain times, flexibility is key, and businesses that keep an ongoing pulse on consumer concerns and needs will be better positioned to adjust strategies on the fly. Purchase data from verified buyers can also help in measuring your business’s exposure to the gas and convenience channel and tracking which categories experience noteworthy shifts as gas prices rise. Strategies will also heavily depend on regionality and shopper base demographics, so access to high-quality, segmented datasets can help companies make informed decisions. To learn more about custom research opportunities, reach out to your Numerator representative or get in touch with our team.
