Record hike in gas prices fuels U.S. consumer inflation in March
Consumer prices rose sharply in March for the first time in about four years as crude oil prices soared due to the war with Iran and tariffs continued to be passed on.
- A new poll shows that 12% of Americans are working from home more often due to rising gas prices.
- Many drivers are cutting back on driving, traveling, and eating out overall to save money.
- Some Americans are looking for jobs closer to home or considering switching to electric vehicles.
Rising gas prices are causing more Americans to work from home, according to a new poll released by the website AmericanMuscle.com.
The poll, conducted by an online aftermarket parts retailer, found that 12% of Americans said they were working more remotely as a result of rising U.S. gas prices.
Among young Americans in Generation Z (roughly referring to people born between 1997 and 2012), 16% have started working remotely more frequently.
The survey found that 6% of Americans said they had looked for a job closer to home in the face of rising gas prices, and 15% said they planned to switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle.
“Fuel costs have always been part of the ownership experience, but in 2026, fuel costs will hit U.S. drivers harder than ever before,” the website says. “Rising prices are changing the way drivers think, spend their money and drive.”
The findings come as the average U.S. gasoline price fell to $4.04 per gallon on Monday, April 20th. This is down from the average price of $4.12 per gallon a week ago on April 13th, but up from the average price of $3.91 per gallon a month ago on March 20th.
How else are rising gas prices affecting driver behavior?
In an American Muscle poll, 96% of respondents said gas prices would be a financial burden through 2026.
The poll found that 69% of Americans are driving less overall because of rising gas prices, and nearly 50% are cutting back on travel, dining out and other non-essential expenses.
Thirty-seven percent of poll respondents said they had postponed or canceled a road trip because of high gas prices, and 22% said they had put off car maintenance, such as an oil change or new tires, because of a sore pump. 11% said they plan to sell their gas-powered car within the next five years.
According to American Muscle, the states with the highest per capita gasoline price anxiety based on online searches are Nevada, Colorado, and California.
Which states have the highest gas prices?
1. California
- Average gas price on April 20th: $5.84
- Average gas price on April 13: $4.89
- Price difference: -5 cents
2. Hawaii
- Average gas price on April 20th: $5.67
- Average gas price on April 13: $5.64
- Price difference: 3 cents
3. Washington
- Average gas price on April 20th: $5.39
- Average gas price on April 13: $5.39
- Price difference: 0 cents
4. Oregon
- Average gas price on April 20th: $4.99
- Average gas price on April 13: $4.99
- Price difference: 0 cents
5. Nevada
- Average gas price on April 20th: $4.94
- Average gas price on April 13: $4.98
- Price difference: -4 cents
