Gasoline is expensive right now. The national average sits around $4.55 a gallon, according to AAA, and in states like California prices top $6. That comes as millions of Americans hit the road for a busy travel weekend — AAA expects about 45 million travelers — and as global tensions have kept oil prices elevated.
Why it matters
High pump prices have become a political and economic flashpoint. In California, tensions between state officials and major oil companies have made headlines after a long-running dispute over regulation and supply. Still, most drivers aren’t giving up their cars: driving data shows Americans have not reduced miles driven in response to the recent price jump.
If you want to cut how much you spend on fuel, experts say there are three broad approaches: drive more efficiently, switch to an electric vehicle, or reduce how much you drive.
Drive smarter
Small changes to how — and what — you drive can improve fuel economy immediately. The most effective habits are simple: accelerate gently, brake smoothly, and maintain moderate speeds. Aggressive starts and hard stops waste gas.
Vehicle upkeep matters too. Keep tires properly inflated, remove unnecessary weight from the cabin or trunk, and take down unused roof racks or carriers that create aerodynamic drag. For most modern cars that only recommend premium fuel, using regular gasoline is usually fine; only cars that explicitly require premium should always use it.
Considering an electric vehicle (EV)?
Rising gas prices are pushing more drivers to consider EVs, but interest doesn’t always translate into immediate sales. New-EV purchases were affected by the recent end of a federal consumer tax credit, and market data shows mixed results for used-EV sales. Still, longer-term, sustained high gasoline prices tend to steer more buyers toward fuel-efficient or electric models.
How much could you save? It depends on how much you drive and where you live. One nonprofit estimates an average U.S. driver doing about 15,000 miles a year could save roughly $1,800 annually by switching to an EV; a heavier driver doing 25,000 miles might save about $3,000. Those numbers grow as gas prices rise.
Regional differences matter because electricity and gasoline prices vary. In some places charging is extremely cheap relative to gas; in others the gap is smaller. A quick rule of thumb sometimes used: multiply your home electricity price per kilowatt-hour by about 10 to get a rough dollar-per-gallon equivalent. With the national average residential electricity near $0.17/kWh, that’s roughly comparable to paying about $1.70 per gallon.
Beyond fuel costs, factor in maintenance, insurance, and charging access. EVs generally have lower routine maintenance needs (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), but insurance can be higher and installing a home charging station adds upfront cost. If you can charge at home, especially overnight, EV ownership is far more convenient and cheaper per mile than relying on public fast chargers.
Weigh alternatives to driving
If your trips are short or infrequent, alternatives like transit, biking, scooters, or an e-bike can be practical and cheaper. However, transit ridership hasn’t surged in response to recent pump-price increases; people tend to switch only when high fuel costs persist for a long time.
Personal stories show why alternatives work for some: a commuter who works from home and lives close to shops switched to an e-bike and found it reliable and much cheaper than a car. Micro-mobility services report average trips under two miles — the ideal distance for bikes and scooters.
Trade-offs and lifestyle choices
Not everyone will or can stop driving. Some people accept higher fuel bills and reduce spending elsewhere. For example, households living in RVs or who travel frequently may prioritize mobility over other expenses and cut discretionary spending to afford higher diesel or gasoline costs.
Practical checklist to save on fuel
– Drive smoothly: ease on the accelerator and brake.
– Keep tires properly inflated and remove excess weight.
– Take off roof racks and carriers when not needed.
– Skip premium fuel unless your car requires it.
– Consider an EV if you drive a lot and can charge at home; run the numbers for your electricity and local gas prices.
– Explore biking, e-bikes, scooters, or public transit for short trips.
– If you can’t reduce driving, look for other household budget adjustments.
Tools to help
There are online calculators and local maps that let you compare the per-mile cost of charging versus fueling, and government resources can help estimate whether installing a home charger makes sense for your situation.
Bottom line
There’s no single right answer. Short-term savings come easiest from driving more efficiently and keeping your vehicle well maintained. For frequent, long-distance drivers who have access to reliable home charging, switching to an EV can produce substantial annual savings. For others, swapping some trips for biking, scooters, or transit — when possible — can trim fuel expenses and offer other benefits like exercise and less time in traffic.