A new AAA poll indicates that drivers are adjusting their daily driving habits, their travel plans and their travel budgets to accommodate for record gas prices - but still planning road trips this summer, as evidenced by the traffic on our roads this past weekend.

“There is no overstating the pent-up demand to travel in the wake of COVID,” says Jim Lardear, spokesperson for AAA. “While gas prices will discourage some, those who still want to go are simply cutting back elsewhere.”

1. Adjusting daily driving behaviors - More than two thirds (67%) of drivers say they have adjusted their daily driving behaviors because of gas prices. This is up almost 20% from late last year when the average price of gas was closer to $3.50. Of those cutting back:
   
   1. More than 40% say they are consolidating or running fewer errands
   2. About 55% say they are limiting their driving any way they can

       

2. Not commuting to work -The majority of drivers no longer commute to work. Of those who do typically commute:
   1. Almost 20% say they try to work from home more often
   2. More than 10% say they carpool or ride share to work more often

    

3. Adjusting travel plans or travel budget - About half the drivers polled say they are planning at least one road trip this summer, if not more, but gas prices have prompted them to make some adjustments. Of those planning to travel this summer:
   1. More than a third (35%) say they are taking fewer trips because of gas prices
   2. Almost 15% say they are taking shorter trips because of gas prices
   3. Almost 20% say they are adjusting their travel budget for dining or lodging because of gas prices

 

AAA Tips and Resources for Saving While on the Road

 

1. Shop around – Gas prices can vary dramatically corner to corner, county to county and certainly state to state. Use the AAA app or the AAA Fuel Finder to locate the least expensive gas near you.
2. Map it out – As you make plans for that Great American Road Trip, use the AAA Gas Cost Calculator to determine your fuel costs so you can budget accordingly.
3. Take advantage of AAA Discounts and Rewards – Members who join the Shell FUEL REWARDS® program save 30 cents/gallon on first fill-up and 5 cents a gallon after that.

 

Methodology:

The AAA survey of 8,437 drivers was conducted across the ACA footprint June 17-19, 2022, by Public Policy Polling. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 1.1%.

 

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For More information and local interviews:

Connecticut – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Delaware – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

Indiana – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kansas – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Kentucky – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Maryland – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

New Jersey – Tracy Noble, TNoble@aaamidatlantic.com

Ohio – Kara Hitchens, khitchens@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Oklahoma – Leslie Gamble, Leslie.Gamble@aaaok.org

Pennsylvania – Jana Tidwell, JTidwell@aaamidatlantic.com

South Dakota – Shawn Steward, ssteward@aaa-alliedgroup.com

Virginia – Morgan Dean, Morgan MDean@aaamidatlantic.com

Washington, DC – Ragina Ali, RAli@aaamidatlantic.com

West Virginia – Lori Weaver Hawkins, lweaverhawkins@aaa-alliedgroup.com